Overview
A functioning pituitary adenoma is a non-cancerous (benign) tumor that grows in the pituitary gland, a small pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain. What makes these tumors 'functioning' is that they actively produce excess hormones, which disrupts the body's normal hormonal balance. The pituitary gland is often called the 'master gland' because it controls many other glands and hormones throughout the body, so a tumor here can cause widespread effects. The symptoms depend on which hormone the tumor overproduces. For example, tumors that make too much growth hormone can cause acromegaly (enlarged hands, feet, and facial features in adults) or gigantism in children. Tumors producing excess prolactin (called prolactinomas) can cause irregular periods, breast milk production in non-pregnant women, and sexual dysfunction in men. Tumors that overproduce ACTH lead to Cushing's disease, causing weight gain, round face, easy bruising, and high blood sugar. Some tumors produce excess thyroid-stimulating hormone, leading to hyperthyroidism. Treatment depends on the type and size of the tumor. Options include medications that can shrink certain tumors (especially prolactinomas), surgery to remove the tumor (usually through the nose in a procedure called transsphenoidal surgery), and radiation therapy. Many patients can be effectively managed with proper treatment, though long-term monitoring is usually needed. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent complications from prolonged hormone excess.
Key symptoms:
Unexplained weight gain, especially around the midsection and faceHeadachesVision problems, especially loss of side (peripheral) visionIrregular or absent menstrual periodsBreast milk production when not pregnant or breastfeedingDecreased sex drive or erectile dysfunctionEnlarged hands, feet, or facial featuresExcessive sweatingEasy bruising and thin skinHigh blood sugar or new diabetesHigh blood pressureFatigue and muscle weaknessJoint painMood changes, anxiety, or depressionInfertility
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsUniversity Hospital, Lille — PHASE2
Mayo Clinic — PHASE1
Hospices Civils de Lyon
University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland — PHASE4
Zealand University Hospital — NA
Vastra Gotaland Region — NA
Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital — PHASE4
St. Olavs Hospital — PHASE3
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Functioning pituitary adenoma.
9 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Functioning pituitary adenoma.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Functioning pituitary adenoma.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Functioning pituitary adenoma
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: How Estrogen Fluctuations Before Diagnosis Affect the Size Prolactin-secreting Tumors
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Functioning pituitary adenoma
New recruiting trial: Metabolic Outcomes in Patients With Prolactinomas Under Dopamine Agonist Treatment
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Functioning pituitary adenoma
New recruiting trial: Individualized Physical Activity or Patients With Non Functioning Pituitary Adenoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Functioning pituitary adenoma
New recruiting trial: Molecular Pituitary Imaging Using 18F-FET PET
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Functioning pituitary adenoma
New recruiting trial: Use of [18F] Fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine PET/MRI for Identifying Small Functional Pituitary Adenomas
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Functioning pituitary adenoma
New recruiting trial: Effects of Growth Hormone Therapy on Metabolic Function in Fatty Liver Post-Pituitary Adenoma Surgery
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Functioning pituitary adenoma
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What type of hormone is my tumor producing, and how is that affecting my body?,What is the size of my tumor, and is it pressing on any important structures like the optic nerves?,What treatment do you recommend first — medication, surgery, or radiation — and why?,What are the chances that treatment will fully normalize my hormone levels?,Will I need to take hormone replacement medications after treatment, and for how long?,How often will I need follow-up blood tests and MRI scans?,Should I or my family members be tested for a genetic cause of this tumor?
Common questions about Functioning pituitary adenoma
What is Functioning pituitary adenoma?
A functioning pituitary adenoma is a non-cancerous (benign) tumor that grows in the pituitary gland, a small pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain. What makes these tumors 'functioning' is that they actively produce excess hormones, which disrupts the body's normal hormonal balance. The pituitary gland is often called the 'master gland' because it controls many other glands and hormones throughout the body, so a tumor here can cause widespread effects. The symptoms depend on which hormone the tumor overproduces. For example, tumors that make too much growth hormone can cause acrome
How is Functioning pituitary adenoma inherited?
Functioning pituitary adenoma follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Functioning pituitary adenoma typically begin?
Typical onset of Functioning pituitary adenoma is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Functioning pituitary adenoma?
Yes — 9 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Functioning pituitary adenoma on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Functioning pituitary adenoma?
25 specialists and care centers treating Functioning pituitary adenoma are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.