Pituitary Tumours

Types of Tumours

Functional Tumours - secrete pituitary hormones.

Non-Functional- no secretions

Three Principles of Pituitary Tumours

Eosinophilc Cells - develop early in life and result in Gigantism, person can be large in all proportions, yet weak and lethargic. Adult excessive skeletal growth occurs, red hands, the superciliary ridge the motor eminences the nose and chin

Basophilic Cells - give rise to Cushing Syndrome attribute to hyper adrenalism, hypertension, osteoporosis, polycthemia, masculinazation, amnenorrhea in females and obesity

Chromophobic Cells - 90% of pituitary tumours do not produce hormones but destroy the pituitary gland

Diagnostics

Physical Assessment

Medical Management

Hypophysectomy - surgical pituitary tumor removal through a transsphenodial approach

Assessment of visual acuity

CT and MRI

Serum levels of pituitary hormones

Octeotide and Lanreotide (somatoline depot, a somatostatin analogue) to improve clinical condition and to disintegrate the tumour

Steorectatic radiation therapy, conventional radiation therapy: bromocriptino (parlodel/dopamine antagonist), actreotide sandostatin synthetic analogue inhibit production or release of growth hormone and improvement of symptoms.

Nursing Interventions

Administer medication timeoulsy

Vital sign monitoring

Evidence of decreasing of decreasing visual acuity

The head of the bed is raised to decrease pressure on the sella turcica and and to promote normal drainage

The patient is is cautioned against blowing nose or engaging in activity that raises ICP

Intake and output are measured as guide electrolyte replacement

Daily weight is measured

Syndrome of inappropriate ADH Secretion

Pathophysiology

Malignancy of tumour pressing the pituitary gland

May be related to major head surgery

Clinical Manifestation

Confusion

Seizures

Loss of conscious

Hyponatraemia from fluid excess

Weight gain and eadema

Diagnostic Test

CT Scan

Urine Test

Hormone Assessment Levels

Management

Restrict fluid and keep record of intake and output

Excessive production of anti- diuretic hormone

Accumulation of excess water

Maintain Sodium Chloride infusion prescribed to replace sodium serum levels

Administer diuretics to free water clearance

Administer enema to draw water out of excess

Monitor neurologic assessment

PITUITARY GLAND TUMORS AND DISORDERS