What WAS Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's brain tumor? IT girl had a benign mass that causes fatigue and low blood pressure - but deaths are extremely rare 

  • Medical data suggests the chance of dying from a pituitary tumour is very low
  • In addition, treatments are very effective and patient recovery rates are high
  • Recovery often depends on tumour type, a patient's age and their lifestyle 

By Stephen Matthews For Mailonline

Published: 14:42 EST, 8 February 2017 | Updated: 20:05 EST, 11 February 2017

The tumour which Tara Palmer-Tomkinson suffered from kills just a small minority of patients, medical data suggests.

Although it's not known why the 45-year-old died, a number of key sources suggest the overwhelming majority of those diagnosed with the benign mass survive long enough to enjoy a normal life expectancy.

In addition, a patient's sudden death is not listed as a common side-effect of the growth - which sits at the underside of the brain.

Late TV star: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson is pictured for the last time outside her London flat on the 25th January 2017

Late TV star: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson is pictured for the last time outside her London flat on the 25th January 2017

The socialite was first diagnosed with a prolactinoma in January 2016.

It was discovered after a blood test revealed she was making too much prolactin - a hormone that stimulates the production of breast milk.

It's unsure what treatment Tara was undergoing, but tumours in the pituitary gland are fairly common - and ones that cause symptoms are much rarer. 

It's believed that one in 10,000 people develop a prolactinoma, with it being most likely to strike women over 50.  Most are successfully treated through just using medication, with death rates believed to be very low.

Very few tumours require surgery and can often be shrunk using specific medication, known as dopamine agonists.

After a few weeks of taking these drugs, prolactin levels usually fall, symptoms subside and the tumour starts to shrink.

Very few pituitary gland tumours require surgery and can often be shrunk using specific medication, known as dopamine agonists (stock)

Very few pituitary gland tumours require surgery and can often be shrunk using specific medication, known as dopamine agonists (stock)

Loss: Royalty and TV stars have expressed their sympathy at the socialite's unexpected death

Loss: Royalty and TV stars have expressed their sympathy at the socialite's unexpected death

They can return, even after successful treatment.

On rare occasions, the tumour can press on the gland itself and stop it from producing other hormones.

As a result, sufferers could potentially experience low blood pressure, fainting and extreme fatigue. 

Many experts suggest they are caused by genetic conditions and previous radiotherapy treatment, although there's nothing to suggest this was the case with Ms Palmer Tomkinson.

Her death, which was announced earlier today, remains unexplained.  

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