Is it possible for a Pituitary Tumor to Cause Ear Problems?

The pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth of cells that grows in the pituitary gland. The cells grow without any control which builds tumors. It produces hormones that are important for the body to function. There are cancerous and non-cancerous pituitary tumors. Some other names for the non-cancerous pituitary tumor are benign and adenomas. These tumors grow slowly and do not spread to the other body parts.

Pituitary Tumors Treatment Newport Beach has several ways by which tumors can be treated. It can be removed by surgery, radiation therapy, or by medication. By medicines, hormonal levels can be managed. Sometimes, the doctor may suggest combining all the treatments. For some patients, the wait-and-see approach, which is the observation approach, is also followed for better understanding. Pituitary Tumors Newport Beach can help you with the treatment

Types

The various types of pituitary tumors are

1. Functioning Tumors – Functioning tumors are the tumors that make hormones. There are different symptoms, according to the hormone they make. Functioning pituitary tumors has various categories. They are Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, Growth hormone, Thyroid-stimulating hormone, Adrenocorticotropic hormone, and Prolactin
2. Non – functioning tumors – Tumors that do not make hormones are called non-functioning tumors.
3. Macroadenomas – Macroadenomas are big tumors. They are about one centimeter or more and then a half inch in size. These tumors can be functioning as well as non-functioning.
4. Microadenomas – Microadenomas are smaller tumors. They are less than one centimeter in size which is less than half an inch. This can be both functioning as well as non-functioning. 

Symptoms

All the tumors do not cause symptoms. They can be found during MRI or CT scans.A pituitary tumor can cause symptoms like pressure on the brain and hormonal imbalance.

1. Tumor pressure symptoms –

Macroadenomas puts pressure on the brain, pituitary gland, nerves, and other parts of the body. Their symptoms can be –

• Sinus pain or ear pain.
• Drooping eyelids
• Vomiting and nausea
• Headache
• Eye problem

2. Hormonal changes symptoms –

1) Low amount of hormones – Macroadenomas can restrict the pituitary gland’s capacity to make hormones. Its symptoms will include –

• Gaining and losing weight
• Weakness or tiredness
• Nausea
• Sexual problems
• Feeling cold
• Changes in the menstrual cycle

2) High amount of hormones – Functioning Pituitary hormones produce a large amount of one hormone. By this, the body is exposed to one hormone at a high level. Various types of symptoms are caused by pituitary adenomas.

3) Adrenocorticotropic hormone – Corticotroph adenomas are pituitary tumors that make adrenocorticotropic hormone. They are also called ACTH. It causes Cushing disease. It includes symptoms like –

• Stretch marks
• Thicker body hair
• Acne
• Slow healing of cuts and infection
• Sexual problems
• Rounded face
• Menstrual cycle changes
• Areas of darkened skin
• Skin bruises easily
• Weight gain around the upper back and mod section
• Muscle weakness with thinning of arms and legs

4. Growth hormones by pituitary tumor – Growth hormone-secreting tumors or somatotroph adenomas are the pituitary tumors that make growth hormones. If there is a high amount of hormones hormone growth then that condition is called acromegaly. It can cause –

• Deeper voice
• Skin thickening
• Joint pain
• Sweating and body odor
• Growth of hands and feet
• Changes in features of the face

5. Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone – They are also called gonadotropins. Gonadotroph adenomas are pituitary tumors that make Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This is because of the tumor pressure. They give men and women different symptoms.

In women, the symptoms may include –

• Fertility problems.
• Changes in the menstrual cycle
• Pain and enlargement of ovaries and this condition is known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

In men, the symptoms may include –

• High level of testosterone
• Testicles enlargement

6. Prolactin – Pituitary tumors that make prolactin are called prolactinomas. If the prolactin hormone is increased, it will decrease the body’s sex hormone (estrogen and testosterone) level. It affects men and women differently.

In women, the symptoms may include

• Fertility problems
• Discharge from breasts
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Less interest in sex
• Tenderness in breasts

In men, the symptoms may include

• Breast growth
• Less interest in sex
• Fertility problems
• Less facial and body hair
• Erection problems

7. Thyroid-stimulating hormone –  Thyrotropic adenomas are the pituitary tumors that make thyroid-stimulating hormone. Here, the thyroid gland makes high levels of the hormone thyroxine, which is also called T-4. This condition is called overactive thyroid disease. its symptoms may include –

• Irregular heartbeat
• Anxiety, irritability, or nervousness
• Problem with sleeping
• Weight loss
• Sweating
• Tremor
• Frequent bowel movements.

Conclusion

Changing a lifestyle like a healthy diet and not smoking can help with pituitary tumors. However, this is not a known way to prevent tumors. Neurosurgeon Newport Beach and Neurosurgeon Orange County work for the removal of the pituitary tumor.  It gives the best care to the patients.