Some people claim that home remedies can shrink a pituitary tumor naturally. There’s no evidence that this is true, but good lifestyle habits may help support your overall health.
Pituitary tumors are relatively common, and most of these tumors aren’t cancerous. Small pituitary tumors that aren’t causing symptoms and are unlikely to cause problems in the future might not require any particular treatment.
However, even noncancerous tumors can cause problems if they grow large and press on other structures, such as your optic nerve. Some tumors also produce excess pituitary hormones and cause many unwanted changes throughout your body.
Currently, there’s no scientific evidence that you can shrink a pituitary tumor with home remedies. Some tumors shrink in response to certain medications, such as dopamine agonists. Pituitary tumors can also shrink by themselves .
Is it possible to shrink a pituitary tumor naturally?
Many health blogs claim that you can naturally shrink pituitary tumors, but these claims aren’t based on medical evidence. Some of the proposed methods of shrinking tumors include:
- acupuncture
- taking dietary supplements, such as:
- ashwagandha
- making dietary changes, such as eating more:
- berries
- cruciferous vegetables
- green tea
- mind-body therapies, such as:
- energy medicines, such as:
Many websites claiming that it’s possible to shrink tumors naturally advise taking dietary supplements with no research to support their use. They often either sell these products themselves or provide links to an affiliated partner.
Although no home remedies are known to be effective for shrinking pituitary tumors, some home remedies might benefit your overall health.
For example, yoga or tai chi can potentially help you minimize stress, and berries and green tea contain molecules that have several established health benefits.
What are the types of pituitary tumors?
The most common type of pituitary tumor is an adenoma. Almost all of these tumors are noncancerous. They can be divided into functioning if they secrete pituitary hormones and non-functioning if they don’t.
Tumors that secrete hormones are often named after the hormone they secrete. They include:
- prolactinomas, if they make prolactin
- somatotroph adenomas, if they make growth hormone
- corticotroph adenomas, if they make adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- gonadotroph adenomas, if they make luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- thyrotroph adenomas, if they make thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- plurihormonal adenoma, if they make more than one hormone
How is a pituitary tumor treated?
Small pituitary tumors that aren’t cancerous often don’t need treatment if they aren’t causing symptoms and are unlikely to cause symptoms in the future.
The best treatment for larger tumors depends on factors such as:
- your tumor’s size
- your symptoms
- your type of tumor
Some of the treatment options a doctor might recommend include:
- Surgery: The most common type of surgery is transsphenoidal surgery , where your pituitary gland is accessed through a small incision in your nasal cavity.
- Radiation therapy: A large dose of radiation is aimed at your tumor from outside of your skull to destroy the abnormal cells
- Medications: You may be given medications to prevent your tumor from producing excess hormones or to help shrink your tumor. Dopamine agonists are sometimes prescribed to shrink prolactinomas. You may receive:
- cabergoline (Dostinex)
- bromocriptine (Parlodel)
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is used as a palliative treatment. Palliative treatment means that it’s used to reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life but doesn’t aim to cure your tumor.
Living with a pituitary tumor
If you have a pituitary tumor, it’s important to go to all your regular follow-up appointments with a doctor so they can monitor whether your tumor is changing over time.
Many people with pituitary tumors enjoy a high quality of life with minimal effects. If you’re having difficulty coping with your conditions, you may find it helpful to talk with a therapist or other mental health expert.
Outlook
The outlook for people with pituitary tumors varies depending on factors such as your type of tumor and whether it’s secreting hormones. Small tumors that aren’t causing problems might not need treatment in the future.
The most common type of pituitary tumor is prolactinoma, which makes up about 40% of all pituitary tumors. These tumors excrete the hormone prolactin, which can cause complications such as:
The majority of people with small prolactinomas have an excellent outlook . Larger prolactinomas can be unpredictable.
Frequently asked questions
What foods should you avoid with a pituitary tumor?
If you have a pituitary tumor, it can be helpful to avoid foods that cause inflammation, such as processed foods and unhealthy fats.
Can the pituitary gland repair itself?
The pituitary gland may be able to repair itself as it contains stem cells that can regenerate. However, further research is still needed to fully understand this function.
What vitamin is good for the pituitary gland?
Vitamins that are good for the pituitary gland include omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and vitamin B12.
Takeaway
There is no evidence that natural remedies can effectively shrink pituitary tumors. However, some remedies, like eating more vegetables or practicing tai chi, might benefit general health.
Most pituitary tumors aren’t cancerous, and some can even shrink spontaneously. A doctor can help you determine whether your tumor needs treatment, such as medications or surgery. Some pituitary tumors shrink by themselves or with the help of medications.
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