Pituitary Cancer: Understanding a Rare Endocrine Disorder
Pituitary cancer, also known as pituitary carcinoma, is an exceptionally rare type of malignancy that originates in the pituitary gland—a small, pea-sized organ located at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland is often referred to as the “master gland” because it regulates several vital hormones that control various body functions such as growth, metabolism, reproduction, and stress response. When cancer develops in this gland, it disrupts hormonal balance and can have widespread effects throughout the body.
Overview and Characteristics
Pituitary tumors are generally benign and slow-growing, but in rare cases, they can become malignant. Pituitary carcinoma accounts for less than 0.2% of all brain tumors. The cancerous cells in these tumors can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the brain, spinal cord, or even distant organs like the liver and lungs. One of the distinguishing characteristics of pituitary cancer is that…