## Woman in Michigan Shocked to Discover Ear Pain Caused by Brain Tumor
*By Luke Andrews, Health Reporter For Dailymail.com*
**27 Oct 2023**
A woman in Michigan was left stunned after what she initially thought was an ear infection turned out to be a brain tumor. Annette Courtier, in her 50s and from Lansing, sought medical attention for pain in her head and around her ear.
To her surprise, scans revealed a non-cancerous growth on her pituitary gland, a pea-shaped structure located at the bottom of the brain. According to doctors, the tumor had likely been growing for five years.
In a separate case, a young girl who had been assumed to be “short for her age” was discovered to have a brain tumor that was stunting her growth. Despite the diagnosis, she underwent surgery to remove the tumor and was back to doing homework for her college course within a week. Remarkably, she graduated with her year group on time.
The pituitary gland plays a critical role in regulating hormones related to growth, reproduction, and appetite. Approximately 10,000 Americans are diagnosed with pituitary brain tumors every year, accounting for 17 percent of all recorded brain tumors. Fortunately, the majority of patients survive, with a 97 percent survival rate beyond five years after diagnosis.
For Annette Courtier, this diagnosis comes after the loss of her sister to stage four cancer in 2019. Despite going through a challenging period, Ms. Courtier decided to return to college 35 years after leaving high school. Enrolling at the University of Michigan-Flint to study digital communication in 2022, she experienced head pain just a week into the course, which led to the tumor diagnosis.
Transsphenoidal surgery, where an endoscope and specialized surgical instruments are inserted through the nose and sphenoid sinus to access the gland, is the most common method for removing pituitary gland tumors. In Ms. Courtier’s case, the tumor was completely or partially removed using this procedure.
Speaking about her experience, Ms. Courtier said, “Having brain surgery, recovering from brain surgery, going back to work. All of those things… I don’t think I would’ve done anything differently. I didn’t give myself time to dwell on it because it wasn’t necessary.”
She added, “A brain tumor doesn’t stop your life. Your life is what you make of your life, and that’s what I did… Brain surgery, full-time work, full-time school, losing a hundred pounds in six months — it’s been quite a year. I’m a completely different person than when I started the program.”
Symptoms of pituitary tumors include weight loss, headaches, excessive sweating, and changes in appetite. With early detection and prompt medical intervention, individuals like Annette Courtier and the young girl mentioned earlier can look forward to a healthier future.