Pituitary Tumors Treatment at the University of Colorado Cancer Center
A pituitary tumor is a tumor located on your pituitary gland.
- This gland is located in a bony indentation at the base of the brain just behind the eyes.
- The pituitary gland secretes hormones into the blood stream that stimulate the thyroid to control your metabolism, the reproductive organs (ovaries and testes), growth in children and adolescents, the adrenal gland to control your stress hormones and milk production in pregnant and nursing women.
Pituitary tumors are slow growing tumors that are very rarely malignant (cancerous), but they can cause other problems from overproduction of hormone by the tumor or by the mass blocking normal hormone production. In addition they often cause headaches, blurred vision, and rarely excessive urination and thirst. Often, they do not produce any symptoms.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 7 percent of all brain tumors develop in the pituitary gland, about 1,300 diagnoses each year. Most are adenomas and very few are fatal.
We Specialize in Pituitary Tumors
There are more than 100 different types of cancer. To ensure that we are always leading care at the cutting edge, UCCC has expert teams that each specialize in a small number of different cancer types. Because we are sub-specialized in Pituitary Tumors, we have treated the most common and the rarest types of cancer. And more experience equal better outcomes. And more experience equals better outcomes.
We’re the Region’s Only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center
The University of Colorado Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Rocky Mountain Region-and one of only 39 in the United States.
- This designation means that we are recognized as leaders in providing outstanding cancer care and cancer-related education, and in driving new research.
- No other cancer center in the region offers the expertise we do.
We’re One of the Nation’s Best Cancer Centers
U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked the University of Colorado Cancer Center’s adult patient care center at University of Colorado Hospital among the best cancer programs in the nation.
- In 2007, we ranked 35th overall and among the ten best in the West
- 5280 Magazine consistently votes our cancer doctors among the best in Colorado
- We have more cancer doctors listed among Best Doctors in America than any other cancer center in the region