Causes of pituitary adenoma
Scientists aren’t sure of the exact cause of pituitary adenomas. But some adenomas have been linked to accidental changes, or mutations in DNA, the material within a cell that makes up our genes. These changes cause the cells in your pituitary gland to grow out of control, making a mass (growth). The genetic changes can be passed down from parents to children (inherited), but they usually happen randomly. Pituitary adenomas are also associated with certain genetic conditions, including: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 4. Carney complex. X-LAG syndrome. Succinate dehydrogenase-related familial pituitary adenoma. Neurofibromatosis type 1. Von Hippel–Lindau syndrome. Having one of these conditions makes it more likely that you’ll develop a pituitary adenoma, but you can still have an adenoma without having one of these conditions.