A pituitary adenoma is a non-cancerous growth in the pituitary gland — a pea-sized hormone-producing gland at the base of the brain.
Some cause no symptoms. Others produce too much of a specific hormone (causing changes in growth, milk production, menstrual cycles, or metabolism) or press on nearby structures (causing headache or visual disturbance).
Imaging shows the adenoma, measures its size, and shows whether it is pressing on the optic chiasm or other nearby structures.
MRI of the brain with focused pituitary views is the standard test.
Treatment depends on size, symptoms, and hormone activity — observation, medications (especially for prolactinomas), endoscopic surgery, or radiation in selected cases.
This entry explains the finding. The next step is having a radiologist interpret your specific scan, not a general definition.
