Turkish Journal of Pathology

Türk Patoloji Dergisi

Turkish Journal of Pathology

Turkish Journal of Pathology

2015, Vol 31, Num, 0     (Pages: 004-017)

Clinical Implications of Accurate Subtyping of Pituitary Adenomas: Perspectives from the Treating Physician

Karen Gomez-Hernandez 1, Shereen Ezzat 1, Sylvia L. Asa 2, Özgür Mete 2

1 Department of Medicine, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2 Department of Pathology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

DOI: 10.5146/tjpath.2015.01311
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Pituitary adenomas comprise a heterogenous group of adenohypophyseal tumours with distinct clinicopathological features across both the clinically functioning and silent groups. Although, predicting a clinically aggressive course remains challenging, accurate subtyping of pituitary adenomas offers valuable prognostic information that together with other clinical and radiological information serves as a platform for tailored treatment and follow-up. For instance, silent subtype 3 pituitary adenomas, silent corticotroph adenomas, acidophil stem cell adenomas, Crooke cell adenomas, and sparsely granulated somatotroph adenomas show more invasive growth. This review has been formulated as a set of practical questions that address the distinct clinical behaviour of a selected group of pituitary adenoma subtypes.

Keywords : Pituitary adenoma, Acromegaly, Hyperthyroidism, Cushing syndrome