An adenoma is a collection of growths of glandular origin. Adenomas can grow from many organs including the colon, liver, kidney, adrenal, thyroid, pituitary, and appendix. These growths are usually benign, which means non-cancerous. However, over time they can progress to become malignant, or cancerous. Though most adenomas are benign, they still have the potential to cause serious health complications by compressing other structures and producing large amounts of hormones into the body.
Adenomas are known to originate from cells used to make secretion, called epithelial cells, which are located throughout the body. An adenoma will form when normal epithelial cells grow excessively. Most adenomas are benign, however, they can spread and become malignant over time. Colon and rectal cancers usually start as a benign adenomas, and bronchial adenomas can easily develop into lung cancer. Pituitary adenomas are very common also, however they usually do not spread to other parts of the body.
Pituitary adenomas are formed on the pituitary gland and are commonly found in about 10% of all neurological patients. The pituitary gland, sometimes called the master gland, is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea. It is located at the base of the brain and is responsible for the growth and activity of most other glands in the body. Although the growth and spread of pituitary adenomas is not extensive, they can still have a big impact on a patient’s health, such as nerve damage, growth disturbances, and changes in hormonal balance. Some common symptoms may include:
Headaches
Dizziness
Loss of consciousness
Nausea
Weakness
Unexplained changes in weight
Growth of skull, hands, and feet
Moodiness or depression
Another common type of adenoma is the Pleomorphic adenoma, which is a benign tumor of the salivary glands. This type of tumor is a painless mass that grows slowly and is typically found in adults over the age of 50. Although it is classified to be a benign tumor, it has the capacity to grow very large in size and can undergo a malignant transformation. There is only a limited number of symptoms of Pleomorphic adenoma, however in most cases, patients report unexplained facial swelling.
Your doctor may ask about your symptoms and medical history, as some adenomas can be inherited through DNA. If further treatment is needed, you may be referred to an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in the diseases of endocrine glands, for testing. Some of the test will include: a blood test, a urine test, a visual field test, venous blood sampling, a CT scan, and an MRI scan, which will help to determine whether adenomas are micro adenomas (smaller than 10 millimeters) or macro adenomas (larger than 10 millimeters).
Treatments for adenomas depends on the tumor’s size and type, and how far the tumor has spread. Generally, three treatments are used either alone or in combination including surgery, radiation therapy, and medications. Dostinex is one kind of medication used for the treatment of hyperprolactinemic disorders which are caused by pituitary adenomas. For additional resources and information on the topic, visit the Wikipedia online encyclopedia, or an online library using keyword adenoma.
