What is a Pituitary Adenoma?

Pituitary Adenoma
APAF-1 and cathepsin B expression in pituitary adenomas. Notes: (A) Weak cytoplasmic expression for APAF-1 in some dispersed cells in an invasive pituitary adenoma (magnification: 40×); (B) APAF-1-positive expression in moderately invasive pituitary adenoma (magnification: 40×); (C) APAF-1 diffuse positive reaction in noninvasive pituitary adenoma (magnification: 40×); (D) cathepsin B cytoplasmic expression in invasive pituitary adenoma (magnification: 40×); (E) cathepsin B negative expression in noninvasive pituitary adenoma (magnification: 40×). Abbreviation: APAF-1, apoptotic protease-activating factor-1. Decreased expression of APAF-1 and increased expression of cathepsin B in invasive pituitary adenoma: Tanase C, Albulescu R, Codrici E, Calenic B, Popescu ID, Mihai S, Necula L, Cruceru ML, Hinescu ME - OncoTargets and therapy (2014). Not altered. CC.

A pituitary adenoma is a lesion to the anterior pituitary gland, encompassing around 10% of intracranial neoplasms in neurosurgical practice.

The different types of adenomas include: 

Pituitary AdenomaFeatures
Corticotroph AdenomasPOMC Derived Peptides, ATCH. Cushing Syndrome, Nelson Syndrome.
Gonadotroph AdenomasFollicle Stimulating Hormone. Luteinizing Hormone. Hypogonadism, Hypopituitarism
Lactotroph AdenomasProlactin. Amenorrhea in women, Infertility, Sexual dysfunction.
Mammosomatotroph AdenomasGrowth Hormone, Prolactin. Features of Growth Hormone and Prolactin Excess; Acromegaly in Adults, Gigantism in Children, Amenorrhea in women, Infertility, Sexual dysfunction.
Somatotroph AdenomasGrowth Hormone. Acromegaly in Adults, Gigantism in Children.
Thyrotroph AdenomasThyroid Stimulating Hormone. Hyperthyroidism.

Pituitary adenomas are classified into different subtypes that include the following: 

  • Corticotroph adenomas
  • Gonadotroph adenomas
  • Lactotroph adenomas
  • Mammosomatotroph adenomas
  • Somatotroph adenomas
  • Thyrotroph adenomas
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Last updated on May 24, 2022