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Published on: January 17, 2018
Risk factors for pituitary tumors: a case-control study
Minouk J Schoemaker1, Anthony J Swerdlow
1Institute of Cancer Research, Section of Epidemiology, Sutton, SM2 5NG Surrey, UK. minouk@icr.ac.uk
Summary
Pituitary tumor risk may increase with surgically induced menopause, early menopause, and young age at first childbirth. Hay fever and older maternal age might reduce risk. Further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Epidemiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Pituitary gland tumors, while typically benign, are linked to significant health issues.
- The exact causes and risk factors for pituitary tumors remain largely unidentified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential risk factors associated with the development of pituitary tumors.
- To explore associations between medical history, reproductive factors, hormone use, and smoking with pituitary tumor risk.
Main Methods:
- A population-based case-control study was conducted in Southeast England.
- Data were collected via personal interviews from 299 pituitary tumor cases and 630 controls (ages 18-59).
- Information gathered included medical history, reproductive history, female sex hormone use, and cigarette smoking.
Main Results:
- A reduced risk of pituitary tumors was observed in individuals with a history of hay fever (OR=0.7).
- Increased risk was noted in postmenopausal women, particularly those with surgically induced menopause (OR=6.7) or early menopause (under 40, OR=7.5).
- Higher risk was associated with first childbirth before age 20 (OR=3.4); no significant links found with oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, or smoking.
Conclusions:
- Surgically induced menopause, early menopausal age, and young age at first childbirth appear to be associated with an elevated risk of pituitary tumors.
- Hay fever history and increasing maternal age may be associated with a reduced risk.
- The observed associations warrant further investigation, potentially involving hormonal influences from undiagnosed pituitary tumors.
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