Pituitary Tumor Care in Grand Rapids, Michigan

The endocrine system is a network of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones control growth, metabolism, reproduction, and the body’s response to stress.

The “master gland” of this system is the pituitary gland, a pea-sized structure located at the base of the brain, just behind the nose. It controls hormone production in other glands throughout the body.

In Grand Rapids, MI, pituitary tumors are typically evaluated and treated by specialists at major centers such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health.

What Is a Pituitary Tumor?

A pituitary tumor (also called a pituitary adenoma) is an abnormal growth of cells on the pituitary gland. Most pituitary tumors are:

  • Benign (noncancerous)
  • Slow-growing
  • Non-spreading (they do not spread to other parts of the body)

True pituitary cancers are rare.

Some pituitary tumors produce excess hormones (functioning tumors), while others do not release hormones (non-functioning tumors). Even benign tumors can cause serious health problems by:

  • Disrupting normal hormone levels
  • Pressing on nearby structures in the brain, such as the optic nerves

How the Pituitary Gland Works

The pituitary gland is closely connected to a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which helps coordinate the nervous system and endocrine system.

The pituitary releases many important hormones, including:

  • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

    • Stimulates the adrenal glands (above the kidneys) to produce cortisol
    • Helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar
    • Essential for responding to physical and emotional stress (important during Michigan’s cold winters when illness risk increases)

  • Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

    • Helps the kidneys maintain the correct amount of water in the body
    • Important for staying hydrated year-round, including during hot, humid West Michigan summers and dry indoor winter air

  • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)

    • Regulate the menstrual cycle in women
    • Control sperm production in men
    • Help regulate sex hormone levels (estrogen and testosterone) in all adults

  • Growth hormone (GH)

    • Influences height in children and teens
    • Helps build bone and muscle
    • Affects how the body uses fat and sugar

  • Oxytocin

    • Involved in childbirth and breastfeeding
    • Thought to play a role in bonding and in reducing some physical effects of stress

  • Prolactin

    • Stimulates breast milk production after childbirth

  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

    • Stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine (T4)
    • Helps regulate energy use, body temperature, and metabolism

Because the pituitary controls so many hormones, a pituitary tumor can affect multiple body systems at once.

Symptoms of a Pituitary Tumor

Symptoms of a pituitary tumor can vary widely and may be due to:

  1. Excess hormone production (too much of a specific hormone)
  2. Decreased hormone production (too little hormone because the tumor is crowding normal pituitary cells)
  3. Mass effect (pressure from the tumor on nearby brain structures)

Common Symptoms

People in Grand Rapids with pituitary tumors may notice:

  • Persistent headaches
  • Visual changes, especially loss of side (peripheral) vision or “tunnel vision”
  • Fatigue and low energy
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Light-headedness or dizziness when standing up
  • Changes in appearance, such as facial changes or weight gain
  • Cognitive difficulties, including problems with concentration or memory

Symptoms by Sex

  • In men:

    • Loss of libido (sex drive)
    • Erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting or maintaining an erection)

  • In women:

    • Irregular or missed menstrual periods
    • Possible milk production from the breasts when not pregnant or breastfeeding

Because these symptoms can overlap with other conditions common in Michigan (such as thyroid disease, depression, or seasonal affective disorder), it’s important to see a healthcare provider for proper evaluation.

Types of Pituitary Tumors

Pituitary tumors are usually classified by whether they produce hormones and which hormone they make.

1. Non-Functioning Pituitary Tumor

This is one of the most common types of pituitary tumors in adults. It does not release hormones, but it can:

  • Interfere with normal pituitary hormone production
  • Press on nearby structures, especially the optic nerves

Symptoms may include:

  • General fatigue and feeling unwell
  • Persistent headaches
  • Menstrual cycle irregularities in women
  • Loss of libido
  • Loss of peripheral (side) vision

2. ACTH-Producing Tumor (Cushing’s Disease)

This type of tumor produces excess ACTH, which causes the adrenal glands to make too much cortisol. When the pituitary tumor is the source, the condition is called Cushing’s disease.

Excess cortisol can also be caused by adrenal tumors or other tumors outside the pituitary; in those cases, the condition is called Cushing’s syndrome.

Symptoms may include:

  • Build-up of fat on the face (“moon face”)
  • Increased fat on the abdomen and upper back
  • Thinning of the arms and legs due to muscle wasting
  • Purple stretch marks on the skin
  • High blood sugar levels
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Thinning skin and easy bruising
  • A reddened, flushed face
  • Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones), which is a concern in Michigan’s icy winters due to increased fall risk

3. Prolactin-Producing Tumor (Prolactinoma)

A prolactinoma releases excess prolactin, the hormone that normally rises during pregnancy and after childbirth to stimulate milk production.

In women, symptoms may include:

  • Irregular or absent menstrual periods
  • Difficulty getting pregnant
  • Breast milk production when not pregnant or breastfeeding

In men, symptoms may include:

  • Loss of libido
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Sometimes breast enlargement

4. Growth Hormone–Producing Tumor

This type of tumor produces excess growth hormone (GH).

  • In adults, it causes acromegaly, where the:
    • Hands, feet, and facial features enlarge and thicken
    • Jaw and brow may become more prominent
  • In children and teens (before growth plates close), it can cause gigantism, leading to excessive height.

High growth hormone levels can cause serious heart and blood vessel problems if not treated. It also increases the risk of bowel polyps and colon cancer, making regular screening important.

What Causes Pituitary Tumors?

For most people in Grand Rapids and across Michigan, the exact cause of a pituitary tumor is unknown. In a small percentage of cases, pituitary tumors may be linked to changes in certain genes or inherited conditions.

At this time, there are no proven lifestyle or environmental factors (including Great Lakes region climate or local environmental exposures) clearly linked to pituitary tumor development.

How Pituitary Tumors Are Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

If your Grand Rapids primary care provider or eye doctor suspects a pituitary problem, you may be referred to an endocrinologist or neurosurgeon at a local health system such as Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health.

Diagnostic Evaluation May Include:

  • Medical history and symptom review
  • Physical examination
  • Blood tests to measure hormone levels (such as prolactin, cortisol, ACTH, growth hormone, thyroid hormones, sex hormones)
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain and pituitary
    • This is the most common imaging test
  • Sometimes CT scans if MRI is not possible

Because winters in West Michigan can limit travel, many local systems now offer telehealth visits for follow-up hormone management, while imaging and procedures are done in person.

Treatment Options for Pituitary Tumors in Grand Rapids, MI

Treatment depends on:

  • The type of tumor
  • The size and location of the tumor
  • Whether it is producing hormones
  • Your age and overall health

In Grand Rapids, pituitary tumor treatment is typically provided by a team that may include:

  • Endocrinologists (hormone specialists)
  • Neurosurgeons with expertise in pituitary surgery
  • Radiation oncologists
  • Ophthalmologists (eye specialists)
  • Primary care providers

1. Surgery

Surgery is often the first-line treatment for many pituitary tumors, especially those causing vision problems or producing excess hormones (other than prolactinomas).

Most pituitary surgeries are performed using a minimally invasive approach:

  • The neurosurgeon accesses the pituitary gland through the nasal cavity (no visible external cuts)
  • An endoscope or microscope is used to remove the tumor

In rare cases, if the tumor is very large or difficult to reach, a craniotomy (surgery through the front of the skull) may be required.

The experience of the neurosurgeon—especially someone who regularly performs pituitary surgery—is one of the most important factors in achieving a cure, particularly for hormone-producing tumors.

2. Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target and destroy tumor cells. It may be used:

  • When surgery cannot remove the entire tumor
  • When surgery is not safe or recommended
  • To control tumor growth over time

Radiosurgery (such as Gamma Knife or other focused radiation systems available through major Grand Rapids hospitals) delivers highly focused radiation to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding brain tissue. It is often used:

  • Along with surgery
  • With medications for hormone-producing tumors

3. Medication

Medications are used to:

  • Shrink certain tumors
  • Block hormone production
  • Control symptoms

For prolactin-producing tumors (prolactinomas), medication is usually the first-line treatment. Drugs such as dopamine agonists can:

  • Lower prolactin levels
  • Shrink the tumor
  • Often avoid the need for surgery

Medications may also be used for:

  • Some growth hormone–producing tumors
  • Some ACTH-producing tumors
  • Managing hormone imbalances after surgery or radiation

4. Hormone Replacement Therapy

If the tumor or its treatment reduces normal pituitary function (pituitary hypofunction), you may need hormone replacement therapy, such as:

  • Thyroid hormone
  • Cortisol-like medications
  • Sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone)
  • Growth hormone (in specific cases)

Regular follow-up with an endocrinologist in Grand Rapids is important to adjust doses, especially with changing seasons, illness, or major life changes.

Living With a Pituitary Tumor in Grand Rapids

Because Michigan has long winters, variable sunlight, and seasonal mood and energy changes, it can be harder to recognize symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, or mood changes as hormone-related. If you notice:

  • Persistent headaches
  • Vision changes
  • Significant changes in weight, appearance, or menstrual cycles
  • Loss of libido or erectile dysfunction

talk with your Grand Rapids primary care provider or request a referral to an endocrinologist.

With timely diagnosis and coordinated care, many people with pituitary tumors can live full, active lives in West Michigan.

Local Resources and Specialists

If you suspect a pituitary tumor or have been diagnosed with one, consider:

  • Your Grand Rapids primary care provider (GP or family doctor)

    • First step for evaluation, basic labs, and referrals

  • Endocrinologists in Grand Rapids

    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) Medical Group – Endocrinology
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Endocrinology
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health Endocrinology

  • Neurosurgeons with pituitary expertise

    • Available through major Grand Rapids health systems; your endocrinologist can refer you to a surgeon who regularly treats pituitary tumors.

  • Kent County Health Department & Grand Rapids Public Health resources

    • For general health support, chronic disease management programs, and help finding local providers

  • National organizations

    • American Pituitary Foundation – educational materials, support groups, and patient resources

Always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department (such as at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids) if you experience sudden severe headache, sudden vision loss, or confusion.

Key Points About Pituitary Tumors

  • Most pituitary tumors are benign and slow-growing, but they can still cause serious health issues.
  • Symptoms can result from excess hormones, hormone deficiency, or pressure on nearby brain structures.
  • The pituitary gland regulates many vital processes, including stress response, growth, reproduction, water balance, and metabolism.
  • MRI scans, hormone blood tests, and specialist evaluation are essential for diagnosis.
  • Treatment options in Grand Rapids include:
    • Minimally invasive surgery
    • Radiation therapy and radiosurgery
    • Medications, especially for prolactinomas
    • Hormone replacement therapy when needed
  • The causes of most pituitary tumors are unknown, though a small percentage are linked to genetic changes.
  • Early diagnosis and coordinated care with endocrinology and neurosurgery teams in Grand Rapids, MI, offer excellent outcomes for many patients.