pituitary adenoma

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taraHK
taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I had an MRI of my brain. Purely precautionary. My oncologist told me that modern chemo, while great, cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. Although metastasis to the brain is very rare, they are seeing more these days because people are surviving longer due to better treatments. I just got the results today. No evidence of metastasis. But, I have a small tumour on my pituitary gland - ! My onc thinks most likely an adenoma ie benign tumour and most likely completely unrelated to my cancer. Repeat the MRI in 6mos to see if any change. OK - I'm freaking out a little here. The good news: probably not malignant, probably not a met. In the little research I've done, I learned that 20-25% of autopsies find pituitary adenomas. I am completely asymptomatic. So, I could have been walking around with this thing and never known it -- and probably lots of people are. Fine. Fine. But my mind keeps screaming "I have a brain tumour". And, can't I get a break??? (My brief history: dx with Stage III rectal cancer 5 years ago. Two recurrence in lung, both treated successfully with surgery and chemo. Finished last chemo in June). I welcome any comments and particulary if anyone has knowledge of or experience with pituitary "thingies"
Tara

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  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #2
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    Hey Tara,
    I don't know a thing about the pituitary, sorry to say. But thought I'd reply because I did have adenomas taken out of my liver. They originally thought these were metastasis from colon cancer. I may never have known about it had it not been for the CT due to colon cancer dx.

    Hope you can put your mind at rest somewhat..I do know how tough it is though.

    Warm wishes,
    Maria
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #3
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    I am sending hugs. Hopefully it is just an adenoma.

    Maureen
  • kmygil
    kmygil Member Posts: 876 Member
    #4
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    Hang in there. Hopefully it is just a benign something that's just hanging out. I'll keep you in my prayers.
  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
    #5
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    OH tara, we only get what we are strong enough to handle... right?
    I am sooo sorry you have more stress. Your docs are doing the right thing. We call things like that incidentalomas. Looking for something else, we discover stuff that really doesn't matter. YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS!! your docs will recheck again. All is good. Just remember, 25% of people have them and just walk around with it. AND, your docs are being so careful and checking for everything! YOU ARE OK!

    Take a nice relaxing bath and do visualization about being cured and fine!! :) Stay strong.

    All my love, jana
  • LOUSWIFT
    LOUSWIFT Member Posts: 371 Member
    #6
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    My daughter has the same tumor on the pituitary gland. She likely had it most of her adult life. You are right these tumors are almost never cancer involved but that doesn't mean they aren't a concern. The pituitary gland helps control the thyroid gland. I won't go into the blood chemistry (hormones)of all this but it is important to maintain the thyroid for things like metabolism, mood swings, well the list goes on. There is a drug (pill) that will control the size and even reduce the size of the tumor on the pituitary gland. This is important because of its effects on the thyroid and it close proxmity to the optic nerve and brain. Pressure there can cause pain and blindness and worst. There is a few options which include surgery generally through the nasal cavity but as I said the pituitary is close to the optic nerve and brain; radiation you know about that; and depending on the tumor type medication not chemo per se. My daughter has a prolactin tumor which is treated by drug therapy. It has been sucessful for her. You have to stay on the drug and perhaps hormone replacement could be necessary which is not a big deal (most of the time). So in my daughters case it is a take your medication (no side-effects) and watch (yearly MRI's). It not the end of the world and you may even regain some energy and strength via adjustment to your hormones. The other type of tumor is Human Growth Hormone HGH tumor which has different effects and treatments. Sorry to go so long here but there are a lot of if this-then that in this type of tumor. Good news its treatable and in better ways then we have had with our other tumors. Hope this helps.
  • crazylady
    crazylady Member Posts: 543 Member
    #7
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    Hi Tara,
    I don't have any experience with this.
    I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this. The good thing is that it's most likely not cancer and doesn't cause any symptoms.
    I fully understand what you mean about not being able to get a break!
    Take care and stay strong!
    Jamie
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #8
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    Thanks all for your replies and support. Jana -- I love the term "incidentaloma" -- and I'm certainly trying to think of mine that way. Louswift -- many thanks for the detailed information. Hope your daughter continues to do well with her trreatment.
    Tara
  • morningstar4
    morningstar4 Member Posts: 15
    #9
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    hi tara i was dx stage 3 crc 1 year ago. over the last year i have had 1 mri,and 4 ct scans all of them have showed same results 1 node on right adrenal gland, and 1 node on left lung dx adenomas. i know that feeling of the unknown it's scarry.i just finished the last of my 3 month check ups next one will be 6 months out. my onc told me adenomas are very common and show up on ct scans and mri when looking for other medical dx's .you have been through so much i'm sure this ones going to be ok. think positive !!! best wishes morningstar4
  • HowardJ
    HowardJ Member Posts: 474
    #10
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    Hi Tara,

    I don't have experience wth pituitary thingies but have a few benign liver thingies. I think it's perfectly normal for cancer survivors to think anything abnormal is cancer. I know I sure jump to thinking that everytime I get a bellyache!

    Hang in there and let the docs follow it.

    Howard

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