These are benign growths of the pituitary gland. This gland produces a variety of important hormones. It is located just beneath the brain and behind the eyes. Unfortunately, the optic nerves are just above this gland. These are the nerves responsible for carrying vision back to the brain. For this reason, as the pituitary gland gets larger from tumor growth, the vision can be adversely affected. Symptoms related to hormone abnormalities can also be seen with these tumors.

Treatment depends on the type and size of the tumor, as well as the patient's symptoms and overall medical condition. Some types of tumors respond to medication. Gamma-knife treatment is a good, non-operative option for some cases. However, surgery may be the best option in many cases.