![]() Pituitary adenomas are generally not malignant tumours. A pituitary adenoma may be present for several years before the patient becomes aware of symptoms. Pituitary adenomas are benign tumours and are typically slow-growing. This is why patients with pituitary adenoma often experience impaired vision and headaches. A pituitary adenoma can cause the gland to grow abnormally and press onto the optic nerve and onto important areas of the brain which surround the gland (Figure 4). ![]() The pituitary is directly under the optic nerve which transmits information from our eyes to our brains ( Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3). ![]() The gland sits at the base of the brain and is roughly the size and shape of a bean ( Figure 1). The pituitary gland is sometimes referred to as the master gland and abnormalities in this gland can have a serious affect on the health of patients. The study of this system is called endocrinology. Hormones are typically produced by endocrine glands and together these glands are referred to as the endocrine system. Hormones regulate many functions in our bodies, including mood, growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism. Endocrine glands release hormones into the bloodstream. Our bodies are regulated by hormones which are chemicals that allow communication between different cells and parts of the body.
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