Tumors
Tumors can also compress parts of the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland to such an extent that adequate hormone production is no longer guaranteed. Tumors that originate only from the hypothalamus itself are rather rare. In most cases, hypothalamus tumors are gliomas – that is, tumors that originate from certain brain tissue cells and can occur anywhere in the brain.
They are divided into four grades according to WHO. Grade I tumors are usually benign tumors that can be easily removed by surgery. Grade IV are very malignant tumors that are associated with a poor prognosis.
Many tumors originate from the pituitary gland, for example the craniopharyngeoma. It is a benign tumor that originates from the pituitary gland and presses on surrounding structures. The tumor can cause visual disturbances and disturbed hormone production.
Treatment options are usually surgery, followed by radiation if necessary. However, missing hormones must be substituted regularly and for life. Some tumors can also originate from the hormone tissue itself and lead to increased hormone production.
Tumors that originate from glandular tissue and produce hormones are called adenomas. A relatively common, hormone-producing tumor of the pituitary gland is the prolactinoma, which produces excessive amounts of prolactin. Affected women often suffer from amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), as well as from the loss of milk from the nipples.
Certain drugs can be used for therapy. If this is not sufficient, the tumor is usually removed by surgery. A tumor that produces growth hormones leads to the clinical picture of gigantism during the growth phase, in which excessive size growth occurs.
However, if the tumor does not appear until adulthood, this tumor can cause acromegaly. This is an enlargement of the hands and feet, the head and facial features, for example the nose. Therapy options include surgery, followed by radiation if the entire tumor could not be removed.
