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Welcome to the new Cushing's Help and Support FAQ (frequently asked questions) page. This new area will be a compilation of our visitors most frequent questions. Questions and answers are still being added.

Please select either a category on the left, or type in a keyword to search the database of questions and answers. Please note that there are several questions waiting to be answered at this time. Your question will be answered as soon as possible. If your question is very urgent, you might want to check the message boards to see if your question has been answered, or add it yourself.

IMPORTANT: The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation.



Pituitary     List of Categories

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  • It has been almost 5 months since my surgery. I am in constant pain(the doctor said I would hurt) Also, no weight is coming off. Can you give me an idea of how long before I can expect to see any weight loss, and when will the pain go away?

    I'm so sorry that you're still going through all this. What kind of pain are you having? Headaches? Something else? Is your endocrinologist giving you something for that, and finding ways for the pain to go permanently away?

    Personally, I don't recall pain (headaches, in my case) after a few days. They gave me morphine in the hospital for mine. I also don't remember anyone on the message boards mentioning it either. You might want to read the posts there. Some boards of particular interest for this would be:

    You could just read what people have posted already or you could ask your own questions. To me, pain going on this long would be unacceptable. There must be something that can be done...and I hope that you find it!

    Your question has gotten me wondering about this, so I'll ask it for you on the message boards and see what kinds of experiences other people have, as well.

    My weight loss started happening about the time that you mentioned. I lost several pounds quite easily. Unfortunately, not all of them went away.

    Are you still on cortisone replacement hormones? The weight should start coming off more easily as you start weaning off the cortisone.

    Have you been tested to see if your natural cortisone is getting back to normal?

    Best of luck to you...this sounds like a very disappointing surgery, so far. I hope that your other symptoms are getting better!

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  • What is a craniopharyngioma?

    Craniopharyngiomas are intracranial tumors that are typically both cystic and solid in structure. They occur most commonly in childhood and adolescence and in later adult life after age 50 years. They account for 2-4% of primary brain tumors, 10-15% of sellar and suprasellar tumors (tumors that occur in and above the pituitary fossa) and 50-60% of sellar and suprasellar tumors in children. Craniopharyngiomas are usually not discovered until they impinge upon important structures around them, and are frequently quite large (over 3 cm) when detected. They are histologically benign (not malignant) tumors, but they have a tendency to become adherent to structures in and around the pituitary gland and pituitary stalk, including the optic nerves, optic chiasm, intracranial arteries and the brain itself.

    They are thought to arise from remnants of the craniopharyngeal duct or Rathke's pouch which are developmental structures related to the primitive gut. Embryonic cells from an incompletely involuted craniopharyngeal duct or transformation of squamous cells in the lower infundibulum or anterior pituitary gland may give rise to a craniopharyngioma. These tumors are thought to be closely related to another cystic mass occasionally seen in the pituitary called a Rathke's cleft cyst.

    Read more at Other Pituitary Tumors

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  • Is a craniopharyngioma a pituitary tumor?

    Technically, no. A craniopharyngioma arises from abnormal development of the pituitary gland during fetal development. It may be located within the pituitary gland or above the pituitary gland. This is a tumor that one is born with which may enlarge at any time. It is not a cancer. A craniopharyngioma may be discovered in childhood or at any age in adulthood. This type of tumor does not produce hormones but frequently interferes with normal pituitary gland function and also cause diabetes insipidus (a disorder of water balance with frequent urination and excessive thirst).

    The answer to this question about pituitary tumors was developed by Mary Lee Vance, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Neurosurgery at the University of Virginia. Dr. Vance is an endocrinologist specializing in the treatment of pituitary diseases.

    For more information from Dr Vance, see Pituitary Tumors Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Is there any medical treatment for a Non functioning pituitary tumor?

    In general, no. There are no specific medical treatments for this type of tumor. The best treatment is surgery to remove the tumor. Bromocriptine has been used in a few patients who could not have surgery. In this situation, a small minority of patients have had some improvement in vision because of slight reduction in tumor size and relief of pressure on the optic chiasm (eye nerves responsible for vision). However, this medicine does not cause dramatic tumor shrinkage - the best treatment is to remove as much of the tumor as possible with surgery.

    If surgery has to be delayed for a short time, dexamethasone may be given to reduce swelling and hopefully relieve the pressure on the optic chiasm (this is not effective in everyone). The most important and most effective treatment is to remove the tumor surgically.

    The answer to this question about pituitary tumors was developed by Mary Lee Vance, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Neurosurgery at the University of Virginia. Dr. Vance is an endocrinologist specializing in the treatment of pituitary diseases.

    For more information from Dr Vance, see Pituitary Tumors Frequently Asked Questions

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  • What are the pituitary hormones and what do they do?

    ACTH targets the Adrenal glands. It regulates adrenal cortisol production TSH targets the Thyroid gland. It regulates thyroid hormone production LH, FSH targets the Ovaries and testes. They regulate reproduction, sexual function GH (growth hormone) targets the Whole body. It regulates bones, growth, body composition Prolactin regulates breast milk production ADH (vasopressin) targets the Kidney. It regulates water, salt balance

    The answer to this question about pituitary tumors was developed by Mary Lee Vance, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Neurosurgery at the University of Virginia. Dr. Vance is an endocrinologist specializing in the treatment of pituitary diseases.

    For more information from Dr Vance, see Pituitary Tumors Frequently Asked Questions

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  • If a woman has hypopituitarism can she become pregnant?

    If the pituitary hormones (LH and FSH) which regulate the ovaries are not functioning properly, it is extremely unlikely for a woman to become pregnant without additional medical treatment. It is possible to stimulate the ovaries with LH and FSH injections, this may take several months of injections before ovulation occurs and pregnancy is achieved. Although it requires more "work", pregnancy is possible in a woman who had pituitary hormone deficiency. Men can also be treated with these pituitary hormones to stimulate the testes to produce testosterone and sperm.

    The answer to this question about pituitary tumors was developed by Mary Lee Vance, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Neurosurgery at the University of Virginia. Dr. Vance is an endocrinologist specializing in the treatment of pituitary diseases.

    For more information from Dr Vance, see Pituitary Tumors Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Does a pituitary tumor shorten life?

    Having a pituitary tumor should not shorten life if it is properly treated and if the patient receives appropriate hormone replacement. All medications must be taken as directed. Additionally, there is a need for regular medical care and monitoring of medical treatments. Most patients who have had a pituitary tumor engage in normal work and social activities. If a patient requires steroid (cortisol) replacement, a "medic alert" bracelet or necklace should be worn at all times. Another illness such as the flu, pneumonia or an accident requires an increase in the steroid dose. If the patient is brought to the hospital and unable to give the medical history, the physicians will have no way of knowing that additional steroid is necessary. Thus, with attention to these important details, a patient with a pituitary tumor should have a full and productive life.

    The answer to this question about pituitary tumors was developed by Mary Lee Vance, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Neurosurgery at the University of Virginia. Dr. Vance is an endocrinologist specializing in the treatment of pituitary diseases.

    For more information from Dr Vance, see Pituitary Tumors Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Is a pituitary tumor cancer?

    No, in over 99% of patients, this is NOT a cancer; it is benign. Although the tumor is benign, it can cause problems because of its size, because it causes the normal pituitary gland to become underactive (hypopituitarism) or because of excessive hormone production by the tumor.

    The answer to this question about pituitary tumors was developed by Mary Lee Vance, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Neurosurgery at the University of Virginia. Dr. Vance is an endocrinologist specializing in the treatment of pituitary diseases.

    For more information from Dr Vance, see Pituitary Tumors Frequently Asked Questions

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  • What causes a pituitary tumor to develop?

    Pituitary tumors are common. In autopsy studies of patients who did not have known pituitary disease, as many as 26% had a small tumor (adenoma) in the gland. Molecular biology studies have shown that a change in the DNA of pituitary cells can cause unregulated growth of a particular cell type resulting in a pituitary tumor. There are no known environmental causes. An uncommon type of pituitary tumor is inherited, this is called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Type I. In this situation, there is usually a family history of endocrine tumors, most commonly a parathyroid tumor, a pituitary tumor or less commonly, a tumor of the pancreas. This occurs in less than 4% of patients with a pituitary tumor.

    The answer to this question about pituitary tumors was developed by Mary Lee Vance, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Neurosurgery at the University of Virginia. Dr. Vance is an endocrinologist specializing in the treatment of pituitary diseases.

    For more information from Dr Vance, see Pituitary Tumors Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Help!!! My endo is pretty sure that my Cushing's is caused by the pituitary, but it didn't show up on my MRI. What's going to happen next?

    Patients who are suspected of having a pituitary tumor resulting in Cushing's syndrome may be referred for inferior petrosal sinus sampling if findings on MRI examination of the pituitary did not reveal a tumor or are inconclusive.

    This test relies on the fact that if the source of your high ACTH is the pituitary gland blood levels taken from very near the gland will be higher than the blood level in an arm vein. Pituitary gland tumors are often tiny and can't be seen even with the most modern scanners. This test will help your endocrinologist to know with almost 100% certainty whether the pituitary gland is the source or if a search is needed elsewhere (for example in the lungs or abdomen). This guides treatment, for example the recommendation for Pituitary surgery.

    For more information on the PSS, as it is often referred to, see Petrosal Sinus Sampling

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