BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuHypothalamic tumorHypothalamic glioma; Hypothalamus - tumorA hypothalamic tumor is an abnormal growth in the hypothalamus gland, which is located in the brain.TumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).Read Article Now Book Mark Article HypothalamusThe hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces hormones that control:Body temperatureHeart rateHungerMoodRelease of hormones from many glands...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes The exact cause of hypothalamic tumors is not known. It is likely that they result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.In children, most hypothalamic tumors are gliomas. Gliomas are a common type of brain tumor that result from the abnormal growth of glial cells, which support nerve cells. Gliomas can occur at any age. They are often more aggressive in adults than in children.In adults, tumors in the hypothalamus are more likely cancer that has spread from another organ.People with neurofibromatosis (a hereditary condition) are at increased risk for this type of tumor. People who have undergone radiation therapy are at increased risk of developing tumors in general.NeurofibromatosisNeurofibromatosis-1 (NF1) is an inherited disorder in which nerve tissue tumors (neurofibromas) form in the:Upper and lower layers of the skinNerves ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms These tumors can cause a range of symptoms:Euphoric "high" sensations Failure to thrive (lack of normal growth in children) Failure to thriveFailure to thrive refers to children whose current weight or rate of weight gain is much lower than that of other children of similar age and sex....Read Article Now Book Mark Article Headache Hyperactivity HyperactivityHyperactivity means having increased movement, impulsive actions, a shorter attention span, and being easily distracted.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Loss of body fat and appetite (cachexia) These symptoms are most often seen in children whose tumors affect the front part of the hypothalamus.Some tumors may cause vision loss. If the tumors block the flow of spinal fluid, headaches and sleepiness may result from fluid collecting in the brain (hydrocephalus).HydrocephalusHydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull that leads to the brain pushing against the skull. Hydrocephalus means "water on the brain. "...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Some people can have seizures as a result of brain tumors. Other people may develop precocious puberty from a change in pituitary gland function.SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Precocious pubertyPuberty is the time when a person's sexual and physical characteristics mature. Precocious puberty is when these body changes happen earlier than no...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider may see signs of a hypothalamic tumor during a regular checkup. A brain and nervous system (neurological) exam, including tests of visual function, may be done. Blood tests for hormone imbalances may also be ordered.Visual functionThe visual acuity test is used to determine the smallest letters you can read on a standardized chart (Snellen chart) or a card held 20 feet (6 meter...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Depending on the results of the examination and blood tests, a CT scan or MRI scan can determine whether you have a hypothalamic tumor.CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...Read Article Now Book Mark Article MRI scanA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Visual field testing may be done to check for vision loss and to determine whether the condition is improving or getting worse.Visual field testingThe visual field refers to the total area in which objects can be seen in the side (peripheral) vision as you focus your eyes on a central point. Thi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The treatment depends on how aggressive the tumor is, and whether it is a glioma or another type of cancer. Treatment may involve combinations of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.RadiationRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.Read Article Now Book Mark Article ChemotherapyThe term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Special radiation treatments can be focused on the tumor. They can be as effective as surgery, with less risk to surrounding tissue. Brain swelling caused by a tumor may need to be treated with steroids.Hypothalamic tumors may produce hormones or affect hormone production, leading to imbalances that may need to be corrected. In some cases, hormones may need to be replaced or reduced. Support Groups You can often help the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.Support groupThe following organizations are good resources for information on cancer:American Cancer Society. Support and online communities. www. cancer. org/...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) The outlook depends on:The type of tumor (glioma or other type) Location of tumor Grade of tumor Size of tumor Your age and general health In general, gliomas in adults are more aggressive than in children and usually have a worse outcome. Tumors that cause hydrocephalus may cause more complications, and may need surgery. Possible Complications Complications of brain surgery may include:Bleeding Brain damage Death (rarely) Infection Seizures can result from the tumor or from any surgical procedure on the brain.Hydrocephalus can occur with some tumors and can require surgery or a catheter placed in the brain to reduce spinal fluid pressure.Risks for radiation therapy include damage to healthy brain cells when tumor cells are destroyed.Common side effects from chemotherapy include loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and fatigue. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you or your child develops any symptoms of a hypothalamic tumor. Regular medical check-ups may detect early signs of a problem, such as abnormal weight gain or early puberty.Open ReferencesReferencesGoodden J, Mallucci C. Optic pathway hypothalamic gliomas. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 233.Weiss RE. Neuroendocrinology and the neuroendocrine system. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 204.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Tumor(Condition)Hypothalamus(Special Topic)Neurofibromatosis-1(Condition)Brain tumors - primary - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 3/31/2024 Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. 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Hypothalamic tumorHypothalamic glioma; Hypothalamus - tumorA hypothalamic tumor is an abnormal growth in the hypothalamus gland, which is located in the brain.TumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).Read Article Now Book Mark Article HypothalamusThe hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces hormones that control:Body temperatureHeart rateHungerMoodRelease of hormones from many glands...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes The exact cause of hypothalamic tumors is not known. It is likely that they result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.In children, most hypothalamic tumors are gliomas. Gliomas are a common type of brain tumor that result from the abnormal growth of glial cells, which support nerve cells. Gliomas can occur at any age. They are often more aggressive in adults than in children.In adults, tumors in the hypothalamus are more likely cancer that has spread from another organ.People with neurofibromatosis (a hereditary condition) are at increased risk for this type of tumor. People who have undergone radiation therapy are at increased risk of developing tumors in general.NeurofibromatosisNeurofibromatosis-1 (NF1) is an inherited disorder in which nerve tissue tumors (neurofibromas) form in the:Upper and lower layers of the skinNerves ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms These tumors can cause a range of symptoms:Euphoric "high" sensations Failure to thrive (lack of normal growth in children) Failure to thriveFailure to thrive refers to children whose current weight or rate of weight gain is much lower than that of other children of similar age and sex....Read Article Now Book Mark Article Headache Hyperactivity HyperactivityHyperactivity means having increased movement, impulsive actions, a shorter attention span, and being easily distracted.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Loss of body fat and appetite (cachexia) These symptoms are most often seen in children whose tumors affect the front part of the hypothalamus.Some tumors may cause vision loss. If the tumors block the flow of spinal fluid, headaches and sleepiness may result from fluid collecting in the brain (hydrocephalus).HydrocephalusHydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull that leads to the brain pushing against the skull. Hydrocephalus means "water on the brain. "...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Some people can have seizures as a result of brain tumors. Other people may develop precocious puberty from a change in pituitary gland function.SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Precocious pubertyPuberty is the time when a person's sexual and physical characteristics mature. Precocious puberty is when these body changes happen earlier than no...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider may see signs of a hypothalamic tumor during a regular checkup. A brain and nervous system (neurological) exam, including tests of visual function, may be done. Blood tests for hormone imbalances may also be ordered.Visual functionThe visual acuity test is used to determine the smallest letters you can read on a standardized chart (Snellen chart) or a card held 20 feet (6 meter...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Depending on the results of the examination and blood tests, a CT scan or MRI scan can determine whether you have a hypothalamic tumor.CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...Read Article Now Book Mark Article MRI scanA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Visual field testing may be done to check for vision loss and to determine whether the condition is improving or getting worse.Visual field testingThe visual field refers to the total area in which objects can be seen in the side (peripheral) vision as you focus your eyes on a central point. Thi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The treatment depends on how aggressive the tumor is, and whether it is a glioma or another type of cancer. Treatment may involve combinations of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.RadiationRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.Read Article Now Book Mark Article ChemotherapyThe term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Special radiation treatments can be focused on the tumor. They can be as effective as surgery, with less risk to surrounding tissue. Brain swelling caused by a tumor may need to be treated with steroids.Hypothalamic tumors may produce hormones or affect hormone production, leading to imbalances that may need to be corrected. In some cases, hormones may need to be replaced or reduced. Support Groups You can often help the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.Support groupThe following organizations are good resources for information on cancer:American Cancer Society. Support and online communities. www. cancer. org/...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) The outlook depends on:The type of tumor (glioma or other type) Location of tumor Grade of tumor Size of tumor Your age and general health In general, gliomas in adults are more aggressive than in children and usually have a worse outcome. Tumors that cause hydrocephalus may cause more complications, and may need surgery. Possible Complications Complications of brain surgery may include:Bleeding Brain damage Death (rarely) Infection Seizures can result from the tumor or from any surgical procedure on the brain.Hydrocephalus can occur with some tumors and can require surgery or a catheter placed in the brain to reduce spinal fluid pressure.Risks for radiation therapy include damage to healthy brain cells when tumor cells are destroyed.Common side effects from chemotherapy include loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and fatigue. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you or your child develops any symptoms of a hypothalamic tumor. Regular medical check-ups may detect early signs of a problem, such as abnormal weight gain or early puberty.Open ReferencesReferencesGoodden J, Mallucci C. Optic pathway hypothalamic gliomas. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 233.Weiss RE. Neuroendocrinology and the neuroendocrine system. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 204.