Final answer:
The most common type of pituitary tumor is an adenoma, which often results in bitemporal hemianopsia due to pressure on the optic chiasm. Treatment can include bromocriptine for medical management or transsphenoidal resection for surgical intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common type of pituitary tumor is an adenoma, which can lead to distinctive visual impairments due to its proximity to the optic chiasm. The classic symptom of these tumors is bitemporal hemianopsia, in which the individual experiences a loss of the outer (lateral) halves of the field of vision in both eyes. This occurs because the tumor exerts pressure on the crossing fibers of the optic chiasm, where the medial fibers of each optic nerve carrying lateral visual field information cross to the opposite side of the brain. Medical treatment options include the use of medication such as bromocriptine, while the surgical approach often involves a transsphenoidal resection which aims to remove the tumor through the nasal cavity and the sphenoid sinus.