Pituitary Tumors in Seniors: A Complete Guide for Older Adults

\n Published: July 28, 2026 | Last Reviewed: July 28, 2026 | Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Sarah Mitchell, MD, Geriatrics | Reading Time: 5 min

Key Takeaways

What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors?

What Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs?

What Are Exams and Tests?

How Is It Treated?

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\nWhat Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors?\n

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Understanding pituitary tumor seniors is important for seniors and their caregivers. most pituitary tumors are noncancerous (

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benign

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). Up to 10% to 20% of people have pituitary tumors. Many of these tumors do not cause symptoms and are never diagnosed during the person’s lifetime.

The pituitary is part of the

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endocrine

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system. The pituitary helps regulate the release of hormones from other endocrine glands, such as the thyroid, sex glands (testes or ovaries), and

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adrenal glands

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. The pituitary also releases hormones that directly affect body tissues, such as bones and the breast milk glands. The pituitary hormones include:

\nAdrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)\n

\nGrowth hormone (GH)\n

\nProlactin\n

\nThyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)\n

\nLuteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)\n

\n $\"Pituitary$ \n

Watch this video about:

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Pituitary gland

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As a pituitary tumor grows, the normal hormone-releasing cells of the pituitary may be damaged. This results in the pituitary gland not producing enough of some or all of its hormones. This condition is called

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hypopituitarism

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The causes of pituitary tumors are unknown. Some tumors are caused by hereditary disorders such as

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multiple endocrine neoplasia I

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(MEN I).

The pituitary gland can be affected by other brain tumors that develop in the same part of the brain (skull base), resulting in similar symptoms.

\nWhat Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs?\n

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Some pituitary tumors produce too much of one or more hormones. As a result, symptoms of one or more of the following conditions can occur:

\n\nHyperthyroidism\n\n(thyroid gland makes too much of its hormones; this is an extremely rare condition of pituitary tumors)\n

\n\nCushing syndrome\n\n(body has a higher than normal level of the hormone cortisol)\n

\n\nGigantism\n\n(abnormal growth due to higher than normal level of growth hormone during childhood) or\n\nacromegaly\n\n(higher than normal level of growth hormone in adults)\n

\n\nNipple discharge\n\nand irregular or absent menstrual periods in women due to excess of the hormone prolactin\n

\nDecreased sexual function in men due to excess of the hormone prolactin\n

Symptoms caused by pressure from a larger pituitary tumor may include:

\nChanges in vision such as double vision, visual field loss (loss of peripheral vision), drooping eyelids or changes in color vision.\n

\nHeadache.\n

\nLack of energy.\n

\nNasal drainage of clear, salty fluid.\n

\nNausea and vomiting.\n

\nProblems with the sense of smell.\n

\nIn rare cases, these symptoms occur suddenly and can be severe (\n\npituitary apoplexy\n\n).\n

📖 What Are Exams and Tests?

\nWhat Are Exams and Tests?\n

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Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. Your provider will note any problems with double vision and visual fields, such as a loss of side (peripheral) vision or the ability to see in certain areas.

The exam will check for signs of too much cortisol (Cushing syndrome), too much growth hormone (acromegaly), or too much prolactin (

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prolactinoma

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Tests to check endocrine function may be ordered, including:

\nCortisol levels –\n\ndexamethasone suppression test\n\n,\n\nurine cortisol\n\ntest, salivary cortisol test\n

\n\nFSH\n\nlevel\n

\nInsulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level\n

\n\nLH\n\nlevel\n

\n\nProlactin level\n\n

\nTestosterone/estradiol levels\n

\nThyroid hormone levels –\n\nfree T4 test\n\n,\n\nTSH test\n\n

Tests that help confirm the diagnosis include the following:

\n\nVisual fields\n\n

\n\nMRI of head\n\n

📖 How Is It Treated?

\nHow Is It Treated?\n

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Surgery to remove the tumor is often needed, especially if the tumor is pressing on the nerves that control vision (optic nerves).

Most of the time, pituitary tumors can be surgically removed through the nose and sinuses (transsphenoidal). If the tumor cannot be removed this way, it is removed through the skull.

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Radiation therapy

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may be used to shrink the tumor in people who cannot have surgery. It may also be used if the tumor returns after surgery.

In some cases, medicines are prescribed to shrink certain types of tumors.

Small tumors found incidentally during an MRI for other symptoms can often be followed with repeat MRI imaging over time if they are not causing any hormonal abnormality. Many of these tumors do not grow.

📖 What Are Support Groups?

\nWhat Are Support Groups?\n

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More information and support for people with pituitary tumors and their families can be found at:

\nNational Cancer Institute –\n\nwww.cancer.gov/types/pituitary\n\n

\nPituitary Network Association –\n\npituitary.org\n\n

📖 What Is Outlook (Prognosis)?

\nWhat Is Outlook (Prognosis)?\n

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If the tumor can be surgically removed, the outlook is fair to good, depending on whether the entire tumor is removed.

📖 What Are Possible Complications?

\nWhat Are Possible Complications?\n

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The most serious complication is blindness. This can occur if the optic nerve is seriously damaged.

The tumor or its removal may cause lifelong hormone imbalances. The affected hormones may need to be replaced, and you may need to take medicine for the rest of your life.

Tumors and surgery can sometimes damage the posterior pituitary (back part of the gland). This can lead to

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diabetes insipidus

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, a condition with symptoms of frequent urination and extreme thirst.

📖 When to Contact a Medical Professional?

\nWhen to Contact a Medical Professional?\n

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Contact your provider if you develop any symptoms of a pituitary tumor.

Tumor – pituitary; Pituitary adenoma

\n $\"Endocrine$ \n\nEndocrine glands\n\n

\n $\"The$ \n\nPituitary gland\n\n

Dorsey JF, Salinas RD, Dang M, et al. Cancer of the central nervous system. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds.

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Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology

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. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 63.

Melmed S, Casanueva FF. Pituitary adenomas and masses. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Rosen CJ, Kopp PA, eds.

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Williams Textbook of Endocrinology

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. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 7.

Weiss RE. Anterior pituitary. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds.

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Goldman-Cecil Medicine

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. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 205.

Updated by: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

\n\nPituitary Tumors\n\n