Joy, ![]() I'm sorry we "missed" your post. Hope the e-mails I sent you this week helped. Let us know how things turn out! The meds may or may not work - these kinds of tumors can mildly elevate prolactin. I don't think birth control pills are responsible. You can read about these kind of lesions here: Often they are referred to as hypothalamic lesions - even though they are on the pituitary stalk. There are some really great tables in this article. Hypothalamic lesions 2.1. Developmental abnormalities cysts
2.1.1. Craniopharyngioma (occasionally intrasellar location)
2.1.2. Germinoma
2.1.3. Hamartoma
2.1.4. Chordoma
2.1.5. Epidermoid and Dermoid
2.2. Primary Tumors of the central nervous system
2.2.1. Perisellar meningioma
2.2.2. Optic glioma
2.2.3. Ependymoma
2.3. Vascular tumors
2.3.1. Haemangioblastoma
2.3.2. Cavernous haemangioma
2.3.3. Haemangiopericytoma
2.4. Malignant systemic diseases of the central nervous system
2.4.1. Hodgkin's disease
2.4.2. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
2.4.3. Leukaemic infiltration
2.4.4. Histiocystosis X
2.4.5. Eosinophilic granuloma
2.4.6. Giant cell granuloma (tumor)
2.5. Granulomatous diseases
2.5.1. Neurosarcoidosis
2.5.2. Wegner's granulomatosis
2.5.3. Tuberculoma
2.5.4. Syphilis
2.6. Vascular aneurysms (also intrasellar location)
2.7. Increased intracranial pressure (brain tumors outside the sellar/suprasellar region It is true, that the only way to know for sure what you have is to biopsy it, but you need to seek some really good counsel with that suggestion. Biopsy of these lesions requires craniotomy, and the biopsy could sever the pituitary stalk, and you could be without all hormones as a result. My physicians told me that since my lesion was small (5mm), that it was better left alone and simply watched. "When there are no typical endocrine features suggesting hormonally active pituitary tumors, the differential diagnosis of the various causes of space occupying lesions in the pituitary-hypothalamic area can be difficult and often impossible without biopsy, which may be hazardous(2). "
http://www.endotext.org/neuroendo/neuroendo11b/neuroendo11b.htm
http://www.endotext.org/neuroendo/neuroendo11b/neuroendo11b_2.htm Too bad I can't find out what "2" is on that site, but I have a bad feeling it is exactly what my doctor said... and it isn't worth it... I have a life to live! Dr. Post would be a good one for you to talk with. He has experiece with your presentation and is in your area.
Minnie | 