Pituitary Adenoma Diary #1: Brain Tumor Suspected in 40-Year-Old Health Checkup
๋ฐ์ํPituitary Tumor Battle Diary
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First Health Check-up in My 40s
I have been getting annual health check-ups, but for some reason, turning 40 made me more nervous about this one.
At 40, I was eligible for a Life Cycle Health Screening, which allowed me to choose an additional premium test compared to the usual options.
Wow!
Since I had no particular symptoms or concerns, I simply chose the most expensive test covered by my company’s health check-up package.
And that led me to:
A Full-Body MRI Scan
This is an expensive test that is not well covered by private insurance, so I figured I’d take advantage of this opportunity—what a naive way to celebrate turning 40!
The Day of the Examination
Before the MRI, I was given an explanation of the contrast agent and its potential side effects. A catheter for the contrast injection was set up, and I had to wait about 30 minutes for my turn.
Once inside, I lay in a plastic cylindrical machine, wearing earplugs, and endured a series of loud hammering noises, mixed with sounds reminiscent of old dial-up modem connections for about 15 minutes.
Surprisingly, the contrast agent didn’t cause any noticeable discomfort.
Since it was my first MRI, I made sure to request a copy of the scan, which turned out to be the right decision.
And then came the results...
Pituitary Adenoma Suspected
1. Notification via KakaoTalk
Pituitary Adenoma Suspected
The full-body MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) detected a 2.2 cm mass in my pituitary gland, suspected to be an adenoma. This condition is a common cause of hormonal imbalance, leading to either excessive or insufficient hormone secretion.
Symptoms may include: Headaches, Visual disturbances, External eye muscle paralysis
For further evaluation and management, I was advised to consult with a neurosurgeon.
2. Referral from Kangbuk Samsung Seoul Hospital
Clinical Diagnosis: Suspected Pituitary Adenoma
Heterogeneously T2 Hyperintense, 2.2cm sellar mass; R/O pituitary macroadenoma.
Findings:
- A 2.2 cm mass was found in the sella turcica (the area where the pituitary gland is located).
- The T2 MRI scan showed heterogeneous high-intensity signals in this region.
- Further examination is required to rule out a pituitary macroadenoma.
What is a Pituitary Adenoma?
1. Definition
A pituitary adenoma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor that develops in the pituitary gland. It can disrupt normal hormone production and cause various symptoms.
2. Classification
- Based on Hormone Secretion
- Functioning Adenomas: Produce excess hormones, leading to symptoms.
- Prolactinoma: Excess prolactin → menstrual irregularities, infertility, breast milk production.
- Cushing’s Disease: Excess ACTH → weight gain, facial swelling.
- Growth Hormone Adenoma: Acromegaly, abnormal growth.
- Non-functioning Adenomas: Do not secrete hormones but may grow large enough to cause headaches, vision loss, etc.
- Functioning Adenomas: Produce excess hormones, leading to symptoms.
- Based on Size
- Microadenoma: Less than 1 cm.
- Macroadenoma: 1 cm or larger, potentially compressing nearby structures.
3. Common Symptoms
- Hormonal Imbalance: Irregular menstruation, weight changes, fatigue.
- Tumor Size-Related Symptoms: Headaches, visual disturbances (especially bilateral vision loss), nausea.
4. Diagnostic Methods
- Hormone Tests: Blood and urine tests to check hormone levels.
- MRI/CT Scans: To evaluate tumor location, size, and impact.
- Vision Tests: To assess optic nerve compression.
5. Treatment
- Medication
- Prolactinoma: Dopamine agonists (e.g., cabergoline) to shrink the tumor and reduce hormone secretion.
- Surgery
- Transsphenoidal Surgery: A minimally invasive endoscopic procedure through the nasal cavity to remove the tumor.
- Radiation Therapy
- Used for residual tumors or recurrence prevention.
6. Prognosis
- Most pituitary adenomas are benign and highly treatable.
- Early diagnosis and proper treatment significantly improve the prognosis.
- Regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor hormone levels and potential recurrence.
7. Lifestyle Management Tips
- Manage stress and maintain a regular lifestyle.
- Stay in close communication with your doctor and follow your treatment plan.
- Keep a symptom journal (headaches, menstrual cycle changes, etc.) for tracking progress.
If You Found This Diary Helpful, Please Like & Comment! ๐
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If you have any questions about pituitary adenoma, feel free to leave a comment. I'll do my best to answer based on my experience.
๐ Disclaimer:
This post is a personal account of my journey with pituitary adenoma and is intended for sharing experiences only. Unauthorized copying, reproduction, or modification of this content is prohibited, especially for commercial use.
Please respect my privacy and this space as a place for open discussion and support.
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Neurosurgeon: Dr. Gong Du-sik, Samsung Medical Center