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Shi R, Wan X, Yan Z, Tan Z, Liu X, Lei T. Clinicopathological Characteristics of Plurihormonal Pituitary Adenoma. Front Surg 2022; 9:826720. [PMID: 35284477 PMCID: PMC8913533 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.826720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As the pathogenesis of plurihormonal pituitary adenoma (PPA) is unclear and the diagnostic criteria are inconsistent, clinicians still find it challenging to diagnose. To analyze the relationship between clinical and pathological characteristics in PPA. Methods The clinical data of patients with 70 PPAs admitted during 2008-2010 and 2019-2020 were collected and analyzed. In particular, hormone examination using cell culture supernatant was performed to confirm PPA cases from 2019 to 2020. Results PPA accounted for 13% of all pituitary cases recorded in the same period. There were 30 men and 40 women. Fifty-three percent of patients had one endocrine manifestation, and 1% presented with two endocrine symptoms. However, none of the patients had three endocrine manifestations. The level of one and two types of hormones was elevated in 52 (74.3%) and 5 (7.1%) patients, respectively and that of three types of hormones was increased only in one patient. Immunohistochemical staining for PRL + TSH or FSH/LH was most commonly performed (n = 17), followed by that for PRL + GH + ACTH and PRL + GH + TSH or FSH/LH (n = 14) and PRL + ACTH (n = 10). The primary culture results in vitro were consistent with the pathological findings in five (41.7%) patients. Moreover, 4 of 12 patients diagnosed with PPA during 2019-2020 tested positive for SOX2. Conclusion The pathogenesis of PPA remains elusive due to the lack of specific clinical symptoms and endocrine changes. Examination of hormones on tumor culture supernatant is helpful for its diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ting Lei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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2
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Ilie MD, Vasiljevic A, Louvet C, Jouanneau E, Raverot G. Gonadotroph Tumors Show Subtype Differences That Might Have Implications for Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1012. [PMID: 32326042 PMCID: PMC7226008 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12041012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonadotroph tumors, although frequent, are poorly studied and understood, being usually included in the larger nonfunctioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) group. Moreover, in comparison to the other types of PitNETs, no established medical treatment is currently available for gonadotroph tumors. Here, we performed a retrospective study and analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics of 98 gonadotroph tumors operated in a single large pituitary center. Although being larger in men (p = 0.01), the aggressiveness of gonadotroph tumors did not appear to be sex-related. LH tumors were rare (4/98) and exclusively encountered in men. Somatostatin receptor type 5 (SST5) was absent in all analyzed tumors. The immunoreactive score (IRS) of somatostatin receptor type 2 (SST2) and of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) was associated with the histological subtype (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02). IRS ERα correlated moderately with IRS SST2 in all (rho = 0.44, adjusted p-value = 0.0001) and in male (rho = 0.51, adjusted p-value = 0.0002) patients, and with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) percentage in all (rho = 0.40, adjusted p-value = 0.0005) and in female (rho = 0.58, adjusted p-value = 0.004) patients. In conclusion, gonadotroph tumors exhibit histological characteristics pinpointing the existence of several subtypes. Their heterogeneity warrants further investigations and may have to be taken into account when studying these tumors and investigating treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirela Diana Ilie
- Endocrinology Department, “Groupement Hospitalier Est” Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69677 Bron, France; (M.D.I.); (C.L.)
- Endocrinology Department, “C.I.Parhon” National Institute of Endocrinology, 011863 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandre Vasiljevic
- Pathology Department, “Groupement Hospitalier Est” Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69677 Bron, France;
| | - Camille Louvet
- Endocrinology Department, “Groupement Hospitalier Est” Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69677 Bron, France; (M.D.I.); (C.L.)
- Endocrinology Department, Centre Hospitalier Métropole Savoie, 73000 Chambéry, France
| | - Emmanuel Jouanneau
- Neurosurgery Department, “Groupement Hospitalier Est” Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69677 Bron, France;
| | - Gérald Raverot
- Endocrinology Department, “Groupement Hospitalier Est” Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69677 Bron, France; (M.D.I.); (C.L.)
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3
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Usui S, Hama S, Tominaga A, Kinoshita Y, Kurisu K. Effect of Gonadotropin and Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Secretion on Invasiveness of Clinically Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas: A Cell Culture Study. World Neurosurg 2016; 96:578-584.e1. [PMID: 27601155 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2016.08.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Revised: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to clarify the correlation between clinical features (especially cyst formation and cavernous sinus invasion) and minor secretion of anterior pituitary hormones, especially adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and gonadotropin, by clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (CNFPAs) in cell culture. METHODS We examined anterior pituitary hormones secreted by samples from 63 cases of CNFPAs grown in cell culture. Magnetic resonance imaging, including determination of the Knosp grade, cystic changes, and intraoperative cavernous sinus invasion, was performed. RESULTS Detection of minor hormone secretion using cell culture showed that 61.9% (39/63) of CNFPAs secreted luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone, 44.4% (28/63) secreted ACTH, 57.1% (36/63) secreted prolactin, and 28.6% (18/63) secreted growth hormone; only 1 case of the null-cell adenoma was observed (1.6%). Cystic changes, Knosp grade 4 status, and cavernous sinus invasion were predominantly observed in cases of ACTH-secreting adenomas. Gonadotropin-secreting adenomas showed opposite characteristics to ACTH-secreting adenomas. CONCLUSIONS Minor secretion of ACTH and gonadotropin may be related to clinical features, especially cystic changes and invasiveness of CNFPAs, suggesting that our cell culture method could be helpful for elucidating the mechanisms of pituitary cyst formation and the invasiveness of CNFPAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Usui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Science, Hiroshima University, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, Japan.
| | - Seiji Hama
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Science, Hiroshima University, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tominaga
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Kinoshita
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Science, Hiroshima University, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kaoru Kurisu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Science, Hiroshima University, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, Japan
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Daems T, Verhelst J, Michotte A, Abrams P, De Ridder D, Abs R. Modification of hormonal secretion in clinically silent pituitary adenomas. Pituitary 2009; 12:80-6. [PMID: 18350381 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-008-0085-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Silent pituitary adenomas are a subtype of adenomas characterized by positive immunoreactivity for one or more hormones classically secreted by normal pituitary cells but without clinical expression, although in some occasions enhanced or changed secretory activity can develop over time. Silent corticotroph adenomas are the classical example of this phenomenon. PATIENTS AND METHODS A series of about 500 pituitary adenomas seen over a period of 20 years were screened for modification in hormonal secretion. Biochemical and immunohistochemical data were reviewed. RESULTS Two cases were retrieved, one silent somatotroph adenoma and one thyrotroph adenoma, both without specific clinical features or biochemical abnormalities, which presented 20 years after initial surgery with evidence of acromegaly and hyperthyroidism, respectively. While the acromegaly was controlled by a combination of somatostatin analogs and growth hormone (GH) receptor antagonist therapy, neurosurgery was necessary to manage the thyrotroph adenoma. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated an increase in the number of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)-immunoreactive cells compared to the first tissue. Apparently, the mechanisms responsible for the secretory modifications are different, being a change in secretory capacity in the silent somatotroph adenoma and a quantitative change in the silent thyrotroph adenoma. CONCLUSIONS These two cases, one somatotroph and one thyrotroph adenoma, are an illustration that clinically silent pituitary adenomas may in rare circumstances evolve over time and become active, as previously demonstrated in silent corticotroph adenomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Daems
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem 2650, Belgium.
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Dekkers OM, Pereira AM, Romijn JA. Treatment and follow-up of clinically nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008; 93:3717-26. [PMID: 18682516 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2008-0643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Although the majority of pituitary macroadenomas are clinically nonfunctioning, treatments as well as follow-up strategy for this condition lack evidence from randomized studies. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We evaluated the evidence of treatment and follow-up strategies for clinically nonfunctioning adenomas. PubMed was searched for articles on nonfunctioning adenomas in November 2007, and references of selected articles were assessed for potentially relevant articles. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS All evidence for treatment and follow-up for nonfunctioning adenomas is based on observational studies. The most effective treatment is transsphenoidal surgery, indicated in patients with visual field defects. A wait-and-see approach may be considered in nonfunctioning macroadenomas not reaching to the optic chiasm. Some of these tumors ( approximately 10%) will show spontaneous regression, whereas in approximately 50% there will be progression within 5 yr observation. Postoperative radiotherapy should not be applied to all patients after surgery but can be considered in patients with large postoperative remnants of the tumor. During follow-up careful assessment and replacement of pituitary insufficiencies should be performed. Magnetic resonance imaging is advised with intervals of 1-3 yr and evaluation of visual fields when appropriate. Recurrence rates are reported to be 6-46% after transsphenoidal surgery, whereas after postoperative radiotherapy, recurrence rates of 0-36% are reported. Long-term sequelae of nonfunctioning macroadenomas are hypopituitarism, persistent visual field defects, and decreased quality of life. Whether nonfunctioning macroadenomas are associated with an increased mortality is still a matter of debate. CONCLUSION Clinically nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas, although benign in nature, need individualized treatment and lifelong radiological and endocrinological follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- O M Dekkers
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases C4-R, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Dubois S, Guyétant S, Menei P, Rodien P, Illouz F, Vielle B, Rohmer V. Relevance of Ki-67 and prognostic factors for recurrence/progression of gonadotropic adenomas after first surgery. Eur J Endocrinol 2007; 157:141-7. [PMID: 17656591 DOI: 10.1530/eje-07-0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Gonadotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas carry a high risk of local recurrence or progression (R/P) of remnant tumor after first surgery. The clinical characteristics and the long-term outcome of these silent adenomas, which show no signs of endocrine hyperfunction, differ from those of other types of pituitary adenomas. However, to date, no study has focused specifically on gonadotropic adenomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS To identify prognostic factors of R/P of remnants, we studied the postoperative outcome of 32 gonadotropic pituitary adenomas, defined on immunohistochemical staining, according to their clinical and radiological characteristics as well as the Ki-67 labeling index (LI). RESULTS The Ki-67 LI failed to provide independent information for the identification of patients at risk of progression of remnants or recurrence. Multivariate survival analysis (Cox regression) showed that neither invasiveness nor remnant tumors nor hyposomatotropism influenced tumor recurrence. The strongest predicting factors of R/P were the antero-posterior (AP) diameter in the sagittal plane (P = 0.014), and the age of the patient at surgery (P = 0.047), with younger patients being at greater risk. Hazard ratios were 2.11 for each 5 mm increase in AP diameter and 0.57 for every 10 years of age. CONCLUSION The two simple clinical criteria revealed by our study, the AP diameter of the tumor and the age of the patient, should be helpful in planning clinical management and radiological monitoring after first surgery of gonadotropic adenomas, while awaiting the identification of other pathological parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Dubois
- Département d'Endocrinologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France.
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Schmid M, Münscher A, Saeger W, Schreiber S, Lüdecke DK. Pituitary hormone mRNA in null cell adenomas and oncocytomas by in situ hybridization comparison with immunohistochemical and clinical data. Pathol Res Pract 2002; 197:663-9. [PMID: 11700887 DOI: 10.1078/0344-0338-00143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Null cell adenomas and oncocytomas are clinically inactive adenomas of the pituitary gland. They do not show any significant hormone content detectable by immunohistochemistry. This study aimed at demonstrating mRNAs for all main pituitary hormones in 32 null cell adenomas and 31 oncocytomas by non-isotopic in situ hybridization using digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotide probes. The results were compared with immunohistochemical and clinical data. Immunohistochemistry (ABC method) was done with monoclonal antibodies against PRL, GH, FSH, LH, TSH, ACTH, alpha-subunit, and Ki-67 (mib-1). The signals for hormone production were detected in both adenoma types in a range from 42% for GH in oncocytomas to 78% for beta-FSH in null cell adenomas. However, these signals are apparently not effective on hormone production, as was shown by almost negative immunostaining. Owing to the simultaneous detection of at least two mRNAs in 78% of null cell adenomas and in 94% of oncocytomas, we assume that both tumor types originate from pluripotential precursor cells that are capable of producing various hormones. According to our data, it is unlikely that the signals influence the clinical behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Schmid
- Institute of Pathology, Marienkrankenhaus, Hamburg, Germany
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8
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Zhao D, Tomono Y, Tsuboi K, Nose T. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 2000; 40:453-6; discussion 456-7. [PMID: 11021076 DOI: 10.2176/nmc.40.453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Sixty-five clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas were studied by immunohistochemistry, and 12 cases were also analyzed by electron microscopy. Thirty-nine cases (60%) were immunohistochemically identified as hormone-producing adenomas. Six adenomas produced multiple hormones. Electron microscopy found seven null cell adenomas and five oncocytomas. The oncocytomas had a significantly higher incidence of hormone expression that the null cell adenomas. These results indicate that clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas produce hormones, even though blood hormone levels are normal or low. Furthermore, the evidence of multihormonal production implies that two or more cell lineages including a protein hormone-producing type and a glycoprotein hormone-producing type may exist in the same nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki
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McCutcheon IE, Pieper DR, Fuller GN, Benjamin RS, Friend KE, Gagel RF. Pituitary carcinoma containing gonadotropins: treatment by radical excision and cytotoxic chemotherapy: case report. Neurosurgery 2000; 46:1233-9; discussion 1239-40. [PMID: 10807257 DOI: 10.1097/00006123-200005000-00042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE Pituitary carcinomas are extremely rare. Cases reported in the medical literature in the 20th century included tumors that produced adrenocorticotropic hormone, prolactin, growth hormone, and/or thyrotropin. CLINICAL PRESENTATION Here we present a 22-year-old woman with a pituitary carcinoma that was immunohistochemically positive for luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone at both the primary and metastatic sites. The patient exhibited elevated serum levels of alpha-subunit. INTERVENTION The patient had experienced failure of previous treatments, including standard surgery and radiotherapy, and presented to us for radical resection of the tumor, with exenteration of the involved cavernous sinus. She was pretreated with cytotoxic chemotherapy and continued to receive this therapy after surgery. CONCLUSION This is the only documented case of a gonadotropin-staining pituitary carcinoma for which hormone production was proven in both the primary and metastatic tumors. Many benign "nonsecreting" pituitary adenomas actually produce subclinical amounts of gonadotropins, and malignant nonfunctional pituitary neoplasms may do the same.
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Affiliation(s)
- I E McCutcheon
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
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Kamitani H, Masuzawa H, Kanazawa I, Kubo T. The multihormonal character of pituitary adenomas: immuno-electron microscopic studies. Neuropathology 1999; 19:40-50. [PMID: 19519646 DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1789.1999.00211.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This study investigates the multihormonal character of pituitary adenomas at the ultrastructural level. The growth hormone (GH)- and prolactin (PRL)-secreting adenomas under study consisted of many moderately or densely granulated cells and a few sparsely or slightly granulated cells. The GH-secreting adenomas showed well-developed cytoplasmic organelles and many large (250 nm or more) or medium-sized (200 nm) secretory granules, as well as a few small (70-150 nm) secretory granules. The PRL-secreting hormones exhibited poorly or slightly developed cyto-plasmic organelles and several small secretory granules. Morphologically and antigenically, these sparsely or slightly granulated cells were similar to those of clinically non-functioning (CN-F) adenomas, which appeared identical to cells expressing little or slight immunoreaction to pituitary hormones at the light microscopic level. As well as those of CN-F adenomas, the small secretory granules of both densely and sparsely granulated cells expressed little or only slight antigenicity of various hormones. Con-comitantly showing slight or moderate antigenicity of hormones biochemically unrelated to GH or PRL, the medium-sized or large secretory granules larger than 140 or 160 nm significantly exhibited intense PRL or GH antigenicity, respectively (Fisher's exact test; P < 0.05 or 0.01). Their GH or PRL antigenicity increased as they grew larger. Showing intermediate cells between sparsely and densely granulated cells, two CN-F adenomas, however, appeared to develop into growth hormone-secreting adenomas. This study led us to conclude that pituitary adenomas may originate from sparsely granulated cells with slight biochemically unrelated hormones, and that their hormonality may be selectively activated singly or multiply in the course of their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Kamitani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kanto Teishin Hospital, 5-9-22, Higashi-gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141, Japan
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Ho DM, Hsu CY, Ting LT, Chiang H. The clinicopathological characteristics of gonadotroph cell adenoma: a study of 118 cases. Hum Pathol 1997; 28:905-11. [PMID: 9269826 DOI: 10.1016/s0046-8177(97)90005-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Gonadotroph cell adenoma was the most common pituitary adenoma, constituting 35% of the pituitary adenomas in our series of 339 patients with surgically removed pituitary adenomas from June 1987 to December 1995. The average age of these patients was 53 years, with a male predominance (1.5:1). The most common neurological symptoms were visual symptoms and headache. Amenorrhea and galactorrhea were recorded in 41% and 14%, respectively, of the female patients of reproductive age. Oncocytic change of varying degrees was seen in 69% of the tumors, and the average age of these patients (56 years) was older than those who had no such change (47 years) (P < .005). Five types of gonadotroph cell adenomas were recognized; they were tumors that contained (1) betaFSH, betaLH, and alphaSU, (2) betaFSH and betaLH, (3) betaFSH and alphaSU, (4) betaFSH, and (5) alphaSU. The immunostaining of betaFSH-containing cells was usually diffuse, whereas staining of betaLH- or alphaSU-containing cells was usually focal. Double immunostaining showed the immunoreactive cells containing one or any combination of the gonadotropin subunits. Increases in serum gonadotropin levels were only seen in 35% of the patients with gonadotroph cell adenoma. There was no correlation between serum hormonal levels and immunostaining results. Of the 33 recurrent cases, significant decrease or total absence of immunoreactivity of one or more hormone subunits in subsequent biopsy specimens were seen in three cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Ho
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei and National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taiwan, Republic of China
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12
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Abstract
This review highlights the most interesting features of null cell adenomas and oncocytomas of the pituitary gland. Recently, application of sensitive methods have documented a very low amount of active hormone production in these clinically nonfunctioning tumours. However, further studies are needed to clarify the histogenesis of null cell adenomas and oncocytomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Holm
- Department of Pathology, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo
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