Our patient has a tumour at the base of her brain in her pituitary gland. This is the body's hormone control centre and the tumour has affected it causing the body to secrete an excess of growth hormones. Our patient's lips have swollen and her shoe size has increased from a size six to a size eight. At the same time, the tumour itself has started pushing against her optic nerve causing double vision and headaches. If the tumour isn't removed, the muscles in her heart could start to grow, restricting blood flow and increasing the risk of a stroke.