Pituitary adenoma

Last reviewed: 24 Feb 2023
Last updated: 05 Sep 2019

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • longstanding and progressing symptoms
  • headaches
  • erectile dysfunction
  • soft small testicles
  • gynecomastia
  • amenorrhea
  • infertility
  • breast atrophy
  • loss of libido
  • hot flashes
  • diaphoresis
  • weight gain
  • fatigue
  • anorexia
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • weakness
  • decreased visual acuity
  • bitemporal hemianopia
  • pituitary apoplexy
  • diplopia
More key diagnostic factors

Other diagnostic factors

  • increased central adiposity
  • reduced muscle mass
  • constipation
  • cold intolerance
  • dry skin
  • hair loss
  • poor memory
  • low mood
  • osteopenia
  • weight loss
  • nervousness
  • facial numbness
  • imbalance
  • urinary incontinence
  • recurrent sinusitis
  • bradycardia
  • seizures
Other diagnostic factors

Risk factors

  • multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1)
  • familial isolated pituitary adenomas (FIPA)
  • Carney complex (CNC)
More risk factors

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • prolactin
  • insulin-like growth factor 1
  • luteinising hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone
  • alpha subunit of human pituitary glycoprotein hormones
  • testosterone
  • estradiol
  • thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine
  • morning cortisol
  • adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test
  • adrencorticotropic hormone
  • insulin tolerance test for cortisol
  • basic metabolic panel
  • CBC
  • MRI pituitary with gadolinium enhancement
  • contrast-enhanced CT pituitary
More 1st investigations to order

Investigations to consider

  • growth hormone stimulation test
  • lipid panel
  • Humphrey or Goldmann formal visual fields test
  • immunohistochemical staining
More investigations to consider

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

pituitary apoplexy

ONGOING

microadenoma

macroadenoma without mass effect and not abutting optic chiasm

macroadenoma without mass effect but abutting optic chiasm

macroadenoma with mass effect

Contributors

Authors

Gabriel Zada, MD, MS

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery

Otolaryngology and Internal Medicine

Co-Director, USC Pituitary Center

Co-Director, USC Radiosurgery Center

Director, USC Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery Program

Keck Medicine of USC

University of Southern California

Los Angeles

CA

Disclosures

GZ declares that he has no competing interests.

John Carmichael, MD

Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine

Co-director, USC Pituitary Center

Keck Medicine at USC

University of Southern California

Los Angeles

CA

Disclosures

JC holds an unpaid position on the editorial board of Pituitary. JC is also a Principal Investigator in the research he undertakes and which is funded by: Novo Nordisk, Chiasma, Novartis, Strongbridge, Milendo, Pfizer, and Crinetics.

Acknowledgements

Dr Gabriel Zada and Dr John Carmichael would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Israel Orija and Dr Amir H. Hamrahian, previous contributors to this topic. IO and AH declare that they have no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Andrew James, BSc, MB BCh, MD, MRCP, FRCP

Consultant Endocrinologist

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Victoria Infirmary

Newcastle

UK

Disclosures

AJ declares that he has no competing interests.

Federico Roncaroli, MD

Reader in Neuropathology and Honorary Consultant in Neuropathology

Neuropathology Unit

Department of Clinical Neuroscience

Division of Neuroscience and Mental Health

Faculty of Medicine

Imperial College

London

UK

Disclosures

FR declares that he has no competing interests.

Roberto Salvatori, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine

Division of Endocrinology

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore

MD

Disclosures

RS declares that he has no competing interests.

Laurence Kennedy, MD, FRCP

Professor and Chief

Chairman

Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland

OH

Disclosures

LK declares that he has no competing interests.

Shereen Ezzat, MD

Professor of Medicine and Oncology

University of Toronto

Toronto

Ontario

Canada

Disclosures

SE declares that he has no competing interests.

Laurence Katznelson, MD

Associate Professor

Stanford University

Palo Alto

CA

Disclosures

LK declares that he has no competing interests.

  • Pituitary adenoma images
  • Differentials

    • Prolactin-secreting adenoma (prolactinoma)
    • Growth hormone-secreting adenoma (acromegaly)
    • Adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting adenoma (Cushing syndrome)
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • Hormonal replacement in hypopituitarism in adults: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline
    • Pituitary incidentaloma: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline
    More Guidelines
  • padlock-lockedLog in or subscribe to access all of BMJ Best Practice

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer