Acne which often seems harmless can be a sign of cancer, reveals a skin health expert. Dr Mehss has warned has revealed how the diseases and various other hormone-related problems can be a potential sign of cancer.
In clip viewed over 2 million times on TikTok Dr Mehss from Turkey wrote: ‘Pituitary tumours can cause various skin symptoms like thickened skin, hyperpigmentation, acne, hirsutism [excess hair], and dry skin, due to hormonal imbalances.’
According to the expert, constant acne flare-ups can be a sign of Pituitary gland cancer which affects about 1 in 10 people will develop a pituitary adenoma in their lifetime. American Cancer Society reveals that more than 10,000 pituitary tumors are diagnosed each year in the United States.
The doctor also revealed that a majority of pituitary gland tumours are benign and these benign tumours can also cause acne breakouts. However, if it is cancerous, it can be deadly, with data suggesting about three out of five patients die within a decade of their diagnosis, as reported by Daily Mail.
The doctor explained that link between spots and the pituitary gland lies in the fact that pituitary tumour produces excess levels of a ‘stress hormone’ called cortisol.
An increase in cortisol levels can lead to acne as it causes glands in the skin to produce excess oil leading to the emergence of spots. Interestingly, various other issues can cause pituitary gland tumour depending on the type of hormones the growth produces.
This includes suddenly expressing breastmilk without being pregnant or nursing, excess hair growth around the chin in women, and abnormally large hands and feet due to excess growth hormone. It is noteworthy that some pituitary gland tumours can also be treated with drugs that help reduce the excess levels of hormones they can produce.