A new study shows a disturbing trend in the underdiagnosis of disorders of one of the body's most important glands. Research presented at a recent meeting of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists shows that as many as one in five of us will have a pituitary tumor at some point. The new study shows that abnormalities or non-cancerous growths on the pituitary are far more common than previously thought.
Most pituitary diseases are the result of an abnormal growth.
A non-cancerous, tumorous growth over the pituitary that is identified by means of blood tests and scans. One reason for the underdiagnosis of these disorders is the wide range of symptoms that could signal a pituitary abnormality. Researchers are pushing for greater awareness of this problem because of the Potential damage pituitary disease could cause. Pituitary problems cause damage by either sparking the gland to produce too much or too little hormone. Luckily, these disorders can be easily treated once they're diagnosed.