Min HS, Lee SJ, Kim SK, Park SH. Pituitary adenoma with rich folliculo-stellate cells and mucin-producing epithelia arising in a 2-year-old girl.
Pathol Int 2007;
57:600-5. [PMID:
17685932 DOI:
10.1111/j.1440-1827.2007.02145.x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary adenoma is a rare neoplasm in childhood, with prolactin and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting adenomas predominating in this age group. Herein is reported a case of an ACTH-producing macroadenoma with an unusual histology that occurred in a 2-year-old girl. Because of the patient's age and the macroadenoma's suprasellar location and large size (up to 4 cm in diameter), radical surgery was performed under the suspicion of craniopharyngioma or germ-cell tumor. Pathologically, it was a unique pituitary adenoma composed of monotonous ACTH-producing cells, smaller folliculo-stellate cells (FSC), and mucin-producing cells. The FSC, non-hormone-secreting pituitary cells of uncertain function, were confirmed by their S-100 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein and cytokeratin expression immunoprofiles. The abrupt transition between the prominent gland-forming mucin-producing epithelia and the FSC component suggested that the mucin-producing epithelia might be derived from the FSC. This association might represent so-called 'retrodifferentiation' of adenoma cells to the FSC and the precursor cells of Rathke's pouch.
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