A man in his 60s visited the doctor with symptoms of thick lips and an unusually large nose. After a thorough examination, the doctor discovered that he had a pituitary tumor and several other underlying dangerous diseases. The man mentioned that he had never had a health check before and only went to the hospital recently due to feeling tired, having headaches, and experiencing blurred vision.
Doctor Nguyen Thi Lan Huong of the Department of Endocrinology – Diabetes observed the patient’s external appearance and noted abnormalities such as thick lips, a big nose, rough skin, a loud voice, and large extremities. Additional tests including ultrasound, CT scans, and brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of a pituitary tumor (Macroadenoma) and multiple brain infarcts. The patient also suffered from high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney failure.
As a result of the diagnoses, the patient underwent surgery to remove the pituitary adenoma and received treatment to control the underlying diseases. Dr. Huong noted that individuals with pituitary tumors often exhibit characteristics such as thick lips, a big nose, rough skin, loud voice, and enlarged extremities, emphasizing the importance of timely detection and treatment.
The pituitary gland is a small gland located in the hypothalamus that plays a crucial role in regulating various functions in our body such as growth hormone secretion and metabolism. Pituitary tumors can cause hormonal imbalances which can lead to serious complications if left untreated such as growth hormone excess or deficiency leading to hyperplasia or dwarfism respectively. Regular health check-ups are important to detect potential diseases early and receive prompt treatment. Pituitary tumors are relatively rare in medical literature but can be life-threatening if left untreated.