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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staff
Pituitary tumors usually don't grow or spread extensively. However, they can adversely affect your health. If a tumor's growth begins to approach 1/2 inch (1 centimeter) in diameter, complications may occur, such as:
- Vision loss. A pituitary tumor can put pressure on the optic nerves, which are close to your pituitary gland, and cause loss of vision.
- Permanent hormone imbalance. The presence of a pituitary tumor or the removal of one may permanently alter your hormone supply, which may need to be adjusted with hormone medications.
- Sudden bleeding into the tumor. A rare but potentially serious complication of a pituitary tumor is the development of sudden bleeding into the tumor (pituitary apoplexy). This is usually accompanied by a sudden, severe headache, sudden vision problems — including vision loss, double vision and drooping of an eyelid — and symptoms of low pituitary hormone production (hypopituitarism), such as lightheadedness, vomiting, cold intolerance, excessive thirst and fatigue. Pituitary apoplexy requires emergency treatment, usually with corticosteroids and possibly surgery.
