Pituitary adenocarcinoma in an acromegalic patient: response to bromocriptine and pituitary testing: a review of the literature on 36 cases of pituitary carcinoma

Case report: Identification of potential prognosis-related LAG3 overexpression and DICER1 mutation in pituitary carcinoma: two cases

Metastatic PitNETs are a rare life-threatening condition with poor prognosis and documentation. Due to the scarce literature and lack of precise treatment, we hope to better characterise PitNET using the next-generation whole exon sequencing (WES) and RNA sequencing. This case study outlines a 54 years-old man and a 52 years-old woman who were both diagnosed with PitNET and analysis of peripheral blood and tumours were performed by WES and RNA sequencing. Analysis showed that DICER1 mutations in precancerous lesions and LAG3 overexpression were significant in aiding the prognosis and diagnosis of PitNETs. The first case with overexpressed LAG3 and DICER1 mutation died 26 months later, and the second case with LAG3 overexpression achieved partial remission. This study revealed that heightened expression of LAG3 offered promising targets for ICI and mutations in DICER1 could provide markers for effective diagnosis and prognosis.

Cervical Lymph Node Metastases from Central Nervous System Tumors: A Systematic Review

Introduction

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) from primary tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) is an infrequent condition, and classically it was thought that CNS tumors could not spread via the lymphatic route. Recent discoveries about this route of dissemination make its knowledge necessary for surgeons and pathologists to avoid delays in diagnosis and unnecessary treatments. The aim of this paper is to review the literature and to discuss the relevant pathogenetic mechanism and the cytologic features along with recommendations for surgical treatment of these cervical LNM.

Materials and Methods

Using PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of the literature published from 1944 to 2021, updating the comprehensive review published in 2010 by our group.

Results

Our review includes data of 143 articles obtaining 174 patients with LNM from a primary CNS tumor. The mean age of the patients was 31.9 years (range, 0.1–87) and there were 61 females (35.1%) and 103 males (59.2%), and in 10 cases (5.7%) the gender was not specified. The more frequent sites of distant metastasis were bones (23%), lungs (11.5%) and non-cervical lymph nodes (11%).

Conclusion

Cervical LNM from CNS tumors is infrequent. Pathologic diagnosis can be obtained by fine-needle aspiration cytology in most cases, giving surgeons the option to plan the appropriate surgical treatment. Given the poor prognosis of these cases, the most conservative possible cervical dissection is usually the treatment of choice.

Demographic and socioeconomic disparities of pituitary adenomas and carcinomas in the United States

INTRODUCTION

Growth of some pituitary tumors is driven by hormones which vary in concentration along the lines of patient socioeconomic status. Thus, pituitary tumors may exhibit disparities in incidence upon stratification by socioeconomic variables. Exploring for these disparities could provide direction in tumor etiology elucidation and identification of healthcare inequalities.

METHODS

To investigate pituitary adenoma and carcinoma incidence (per 100,000) with respect to sex, age, income, residence, and race/ethnicity, we searched the largest American administrative dataset (1997-2016), the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS), which surveys 20% of United States (US) discharges.

RESULTS

Annual national incidence was 2.80 for adenomas and 0.046 for carcinomas. For adenomas, males had an incidence of 2.63, similar (p = 0.17) to females at 2.78; likewise, for carcinomas, males had a statistically equivalent (p = 0.24) incidence at 0.051 to females at 0.041. Amongst age groups, for adenomas incidence progressively rose, peaking 65-84 years old (6.12), before declining. For adenomas and carcinomas respectively, patients with low income had an incidence of 2.66 and 0.044, similar (p = 0.11; p = 0.72) to the 3.01 and 0.041 of middle/high income patients. Incidence was greatest for adenomas amongst urban centers (3.47), followed by rural (3.16) and suburban (3.01) communities. Examining race/ethnicity (p = 0.0000016), for adenomas, incidences amongst Blacks, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and Whites were as follows, respectively: 3.64, 2.57, 2.54, 2.44. Annually, incidence for adenomas was increasing (τ = 0.63, p = 0.00021), but decreasing (τ = -0.60, p = 0.00085) for carcinomas. Specifically, for carcinomas incidence was only decreasing for females and the middle/high income.

CONCLUSION

In the US, time-enduring healthcare disparities were identified for pituitary adenomas and carcinomas, against the background of sociodemographic strata. For carcinomas, annual incidence was declining only for middle/high income patients and females, which supporting prior investigations that low income patients and males are experiencing barriers to definitive treatment for pituitary adenomas. Incidence was also found to be greatest Blacks and urban residents.

Growth hormone secreting pituitary carcinomas: Case report and review of literature

OBJECTIVE

Pituitary carcinoma is a rare tumor, defined as a tumor of adenohypophyseal cells with systemic or craniospinal metastasis. We present a case of a growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary carcinoma with a review of literature to better characterize this disease.

DESIGN

Case report and literature review of 25 cases of GH-secreting pituitary carcinomas RESULTS: The age of diagnosis of GH-secreting carcinomas ranged 24-69 years old with a mean age of 44.4 with 52% of cases present in females. Mean latency period between diagnosis of acromegaly and transition to pituitary carcinoma was 11.4 years with mean survival being 3.4 years.

CONCLUSION

Growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary carcinomas are rare and hard to distinguish from aggressive pituitary adenomas. From review of literature, treatment options include debulking surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy with dismal outcomes. There are no diagnostic markers or features which can predict metastatic progression of these tumors. Future studies with genomic landscapes and relevant tumor markers are needed to identify pituitary tumors most likely to metastasize.

Acute Unilateral Oculomotor Nerve Palsy as the Initial Presenting Sign of Nonfunctioning Apoplectic Gonadotroph Adenoma

Pituitary macroadenoma usually presents with visual field defects. Oculomotor nerve palsy is a rare presentation, and usually a sign of para-sellar growth and cavernous sinus extension. The oculomotor nerve is more susceptible to laterally transmitted pressure by pituitary mass expansion because of its anatomical location. A slow onset oculomotor nerve palsy results from either gradual compression of the nerve in the sinus wall or direct infiltration of the nerve by the pituitary tumor. We are reporting a unique case of a 68-year-old African American patient who presented to an ophthalmology clinic with left eye complete ptosis, blurry vision, and a progressive headache for a few weeks. He was found to have a nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) that required urgent transnasal transsphenoidal tumor resection. The patient's ocular movements significantly improved a few days postoperatively, and repeated computed tomography (CT) of the head showed complete resection of the pituitary adenoma. The postoperative morning cortisol level was significantly low, confirming the diagnosis of secondary adrenal insufficiency. The patient was treated with corticosteroid replacement therapy.

An Institutional Experience of Tumor Progression to Pituitary Carcinoma in a 15-Year Cohort of 1055 Consecutive Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors

Pituitary carcinoma is a rare disease, defined by the presence of cerebrospinal or distant metastasis of a pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET). To review our institutional experience of pituitary carcinoma, we searched the database of the UHN Endocrine Oncology Site group and the University Health Network pathology laboratory information system from 2001 to 2016. Among 1055 PitNETs from 1169 transsphenoidal resections, we identified 4 cases of pituitary carcinoma, indicating that pituitary carcinoma represents around 0.4% of PitNETs. All four patients were women. The age at initial presentation ranged from 23 to 54 years. Two patients had Cushing disease with corticotroph tumors; one was initially a densely granulated corticotroph tumor that evolved to become sparsely granulated, while the other was a Crooke cell tumor. One patient had a functioning sparsely granulated lactotroph tumor and one had a clinically silent poorly differentiated PIT1 lineage tumor. Apart from a relatively high Ki67 labeling index (≥ 10%) in three tumors, there were no cytomorphologic features at the time of initial presentation that could predict subsequent metastatic behavior. The time from diagnosis of the pituitary neuroendocrine tumor to the diagnosis of malignancy was 3 to 14 years. Therapies included somatostatin analogs, external beam radiotherapy, chemotherapies including capecitabine/temozolomide, everolimus, sunitinib, bevacizumab, and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). One patient died of disease 18 years after initial diagnosis, underscoring the protracted course of this ultimately fatal neuroendocrine malignancy.

Malignant transformation in non-functioning pituitary adenomas (pituitary carcinoma)

Non-functioning pituitary carcinomas (NFPC) are defined as tumours of adenophyseal origin with craniospinal or systemic dissemination, with the absence of a hormonal hypersecretion syndrome. These are a histologically heterogenous group of tumours, comprising gonadotroph, null cell, "silent" tumours of corticotroph, somatotroph or lactotroph cell lineages as well as plurihormonal Pit-1 tumours. NFPC are exceedingly rare, and hence few cases have been described. This review has identified 38 patients with NFPC reported in the literature. Recurrent invasive non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) were observed in a majority of patients. Various factors have been identified as markers of the potential for aggressive behaviour, including rapid tumour growth, growth after radiotherapy, gain or shift of hormone secretion and raised proliferative markers. Typically, there is a latency of several years from the original presentation with an NFPA to identification of metastases and only 5 cases reported with rapidly progressive malignant disease within 1 month of presentation. Therapeutic options include debulking surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide recommended as first line systemic treatment. Although long-term survivors are described, prognosis remains generally very poor (median survival 8 months). Improvements in molecular tumour profiling may assist in predicting tumour behaviour, guide therapeutic choices and identify novel therapies.

Cytomorphology of metastatic pituitary carcinoma to the bone

Metastatic pituitary carcinoma to bone is rare. In this report, we present a case of a 59-year-old female with recurrent pituitary adenoma of the sparsely granulated somatotroph subtype with metastasis to a few bony sites 10 years later. Needle core biopsy (NCB) with touch preparations was performed on a 5 mm lesion in left ilium. Diff-Quik stained NCB touch preparation slides showed a few loosely cohesive epithelial polygonal cells that were arranged in nests or acini, or singly, had scant vacuolated cytoplasm and eccentrically located round nuclei (plasmacytoid) with slight nuclear pleomorphism, fine granular chromatin, conspicuous nucleoli, and smooth nuclear membrane. Trilineage hematopoietic cells of bone marrow were also appreciated in the background. H&E stained core sections showed fragments of bone and bone marrow with nests of bland epithelial cells with similar cytomorphology as seen in NCB touch preparation slides. The tumor cells were immunoreactive for juxtanuclear dot-like staining of pan-cytokeratin (CAM 5.2 and AE1/AE3) (a specific feature), neuroendocrine markers (CD56, synaptophysin, and chromogranin. Additionally, scattered cells were immunoreactive for growth hormone. Molecular test showed that tumor cells were negative for the promoter methylation of O-6-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase (MGMT). Final diagnosis of metastatic pituitary carcinoma was rendered. Morphology of metastatic pituitary carcinoma, its differential, clinical presentation and treatment were discussed. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017;45:645-650. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The role of temozolomide in the treatment of a patient with a pure silent pituitary somatotroph carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To describe a case of a pure silent somatotroph pituitary carcinoma.

METHODS

We describe a 54-year-old female with a clinically nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma diagnosed 15 years earlier.

RESULTS

The patient underwent transsphenoidal surgery and no visible tumor remnant was observed for 6 years. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detected the recurrence of a 1.2 × 1.5 cm macroadenoma. The patient was submitted to conventional radiotherapy (4500 cGy), and the tumor volume remained stable for 7 years. Then, an MRI revealed a slight increase in tumor size, and 2 years later, a subsequent MRI detected a very large, invasive pituitary mass. The patient was resubmitted to transsphenoidal surgery, and the histopathological examination showed diffuse positivity for growth hormone (GH). The nadir GH level during an oral glucose tolerance test was 0.06 ng/mL, and the pre- and postoperative insulin like growth factor type I (IGF-I) levels were within the normal range. Abdominal, chest, brain, and spine MRI showed multiple small and hypervascular liver and bone lesions suggestive of metastases. Liver biopsy confirmed metastasis of GH-producing pituitary carcinoma. The patient has been treated with temozolomide and zoledronic acid for 7 months and with octreotide long-acting release (LAR) for 4 months. The primary tumor and metastases are stable.

CONCLUSION

Despite being an extremely rare event, pituitary carcinoma may develop several years after the successful treatment of even a silent GH-producing pituitary adenoma, which suggests that close long-term follow-up is necessary.

Long-term follow-up of growth hormone-producing pituitary carcinoma with multiple spinal metastases following multiple surgeries: case report

This report describes a rare case of a patient with growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary adenoma with malignant transformation resulting in multiple metastases to the dura mater of the cerebral convexity and high cervical spine. The patient was a 60-year-old man with a previous history of pituitary adenoma with suprasellar extension who had undergone transsphenoidal surgery, craniotomy for a convexity tumor, and suboccipital craniotomy for a cerebellar tumor. Thirteen years after the initial surgery, suboccipital craniotomy for a cervicomedullary junction tumor and cervicospinal surgery for a metastatic tumor was performed. Histologic findings of resected specimens demonstrated that the primary pituitary tumor was typical adenoma (similar to specimens from the initial surgery) but that the cerebellar and the dural tumor from the high cervical spine had a high incidence of mitotic figures, and cellular anaplasia with nuclear polymorphism and necrosis. In addition, the serum levels of GH were noted to have decreased with recurrence of the tumor. It was concluded that patients with pituitary adenoma, even when benign, must be carefully followed for signs of malignant transformation, and spinal or distant metastases.

Orbital metastasis of pituitary growth hormone secreting carcinoma causing lateral gaze palsy

Background:

Although pituitary adenoma is one of the most common intracranial tumors, it rarely progresses secondarily into a metastatic carcinoma. Commonalities in reported cases include subtotal resection at presentation, treatment with radiation therapy, and delayed metastatic progression. Pathologic descriptions of these lesions are varying and inconsistent.

Case Description:

A 52-year-old male was diagnosed with acromegaly and pituitary tumor in 1996. He underwent four subtotal resections and five courses of stereotactic radiosurgery over 14 years. He developed left eye lateral gaze palsy, and was found to have a distant orbital metastasis with involvement of the left lateral rectus and lateral orbital wall. He underwent left orbital craniotomy via eyebrow incision for resection of this lesion. Pathologic evaluation showed a markedly elevated Ki67 level of 30%.

Conclusion:

While overall incidence of metastatic progression of pituitary adenoma after radiotherapy appears to be low, it appears to be a possible complication, and could be more likely in patients receiving multiple doses of radiotherapy. Our review of reported cases showed that 45/46 (97.8%) of patients developing carcinoma had prior radiation exposure. These patients may also have more aggressive pathologic characteristics of their lesions.

Metastatic pituitary carcinoma in a patient with acromegaly: a case report

Introduction

Asymptomatic pituitary abnormalities occur in about 10% of cranial magnetic resonance imaging scans, but metastatic carcinoma of the pituitary gland is rare: 133 cases have been reported. Two thirds secreted either prolactin or adrenocorticotropic hormone, and another 24% were non-secreting.

Case presentation

A 42-year-old Caucasian man lived for 30 years after the diagnosis of a pituitary tumor whose clinical and biochemical features were those of acromegaly and hypogonadism. Radiotherapy, totaling 7300 rad, was administered to the sella over two courses. Growth hormone levels normalized, but he developed both thyroid and adrenal insufficiency, and replacement therapy was commenced. Fourteen years later, growth hormone levels again became elevated, and bromocriptine was commenced but led to side effects that could not be tolerated. An attempted surgical intervention failed, and octreotide and pergolide were used in succession. Twenty-seven years after the diagnosis, a mass from an excisional biopsy of below the angle of the mandible proved to be metastatic pituitary carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for synaptophysin, growth hormone, and prolactin. One year later, an octreotide scan showed uptake at the sella, neck, and spleen. Our patient declined further active oncology treatment.

Conclusions

Metastatic pituitary carcinoma associated with acromegaly is particularly rare. To the best of our knowledge, this is the eighth such case and is the first report of growth hormone and prolactin present in the metastatic mass.

Clinical review: Pituitary carcinoma: difficult diagnosis and treatment

CONTEXT

Although pituitary tumors are common, pituitary carcinoma is very rare and is only diagnosed when pituitary tumor noncontiguous with the sellar region is demonstrated. Diagnosis is difficult, resulting in delays that may adversely effect outcome that is traditionally poor. Barriers to earlier diagnosis and management strategies for pituitary carcinoma are discussed.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

PubMed was employed to identify relevant studies, a review of the literature was conducted, and data were summarized and integrated from the author's perspective.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The available data highlight the difficulties in diagnosis and management and practical challenges in conducting clinical trials in this rare condition. They suggest that earlier diagnosis with aggressive multimodal therapy may be advantageous in some cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Although pituitary carcinoma remains difficult to diagnose and treat, recent developments have led to improved outcomes in selected cases. With broader use of molecular markers, efforts to modify current histopathological criteria for pituitary carcinoma diagnosis may now be possible. This would assist earlier diagnosis and, in combination with targeted therapies, potentially improve long-term survival.

Pituitary carcinoma

The presence of distant metastases may be asymptomatic in patients who present with symptoms and signs due to the local mass effects of an invasive pituitary adenoma. A case of pituitary carcinoma in a 54-year-old man who presented with widespread asymptomatic distant metastases 12 years after initial diagnosis is reviewed. The long course and asymptomatic metastases suggested a relatively slow-growing malignancy. The factors that played a role in the pathogenesis of the metastasis are unknown. A review of the literature on pituitary carcinoma suggests that accurate diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach to management of such lesions emphasizing surgery, radiotherapy, and hormonal manipulation may provide these patients with the longest and best quality of survival.

A survey of metastatic central nervous system tumors to cervical lymph nodes

In the realm of head and neck diseases, one particularly common clinical presentation is that of the patient with a cervical mass. In children, neck masses often prove to be developmental cysts; in adults, the recent onset of a neck mass can signal a metastasis from a head and neck squamous carcinoma. Less often, both adults and children may present with cervical masses caused by either non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease. There are, of course, less frequently encountered differential diagnostic possibilities; one of the most uncommon of all is the possibility of metastasis from an intracranial tumor. Intracranial tumors rarely give rise to cervical node metastases. The present review examines the published experience with 128 tumors that gave rise to cervical node metastases in both adult and in pediatric patients. While it is presumed that the blood-brain barrier blocks the spread of most tumors beyond the intracranial locale, this is speculative. Although many of the cervical node metastases reported here arose after craniotomy (and, presumably, after breaching of the blood-brain barrier), some arose in the absence of any preceding surgical procedure. Cervical node metastases may arise from glial tumors (including glioblastoma multiforme, in both adult and pediatric patients) and non-glial tumors (such as medulloblastoma in pediatric patients). The history of a previous intracranial lesion is often the key to correct diagnosis, since, without prompting, neither the pathologist nor the radiologist is likely to think of a cervical node metastasis from a brain tumor when assessing a cervical mass of unknown etiology.

FDG-PET/CT findings of a metastatic pituitary tumor

The authors report the fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography(PET)/computed tomography (CT) findings of a rare case of growth hormone-secreting pituitary carcinoma with multiple metastatic lesions to the skeleton. A 31-year-old male had presented with acromegaly and had received transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary tumor and adjuvant radiotherapy. However, the tumor recurred with local invasions and the patient underwent more resections and adjuvant chemotherapy. Several months later, the patient developed rising levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 and whole-body FDG-PET/CT scanning revealed multiple hypermetabolic lesions throughout the skeleton compatible with metastasis.

[Pituitary carcinoma. Anatomic and clinical features of cases reported in literature]

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Pituitary gland tumors that became aggressive, implying adjacent bone structure and the brain as metastases outside of the cranial box, are referred to as pituitary carcinomas.

METHODS

We reviewed 67 cases reported in the literature [44 corticotropic pituitary tumors, 11 PRL tumors, 3 GH tumors, 1 TSH tumor, 3 gonadotropic cell tumors and 5 non-functioning tumors].

RESULTS

The corticotropic tumors occurred in 23 female and 15 males. Signs of hypercorticism were characteristic: generalized melanosis before adrenalectomy (N=1); headache (N=1); altered visual (N=1); diabetes insipidus (N=1); amenorrhea (N=1); Cushing syndrome (N=2); weight loss (N=1); refractory hypokaliemic alkalosis (N=1); diabetes mellitus (N=1); hypertension (N=1). ACTH, beta-lipotrophin, betaendorphin, alphamelano-stimulating hormone, CRH, and beta-gamma MSH were contributive while ultrastructural microscopy provided little information, as did an equimolar Lph/ACTH ratio. The possible association of prolactin tumors with corticotrophin forms has been underlined. The characteristic feature is a time interval from the initial diagnosis of adenoma to that of cancer, which has ranged from 0.3 to 18 years (mean: 6.6 years; median: 5.0 years).

CONCLUSION

Corticotropic tumors resistance to high-dose medical treatment are usually aggressive tumors with a risk of recurrence after surgical treatment or even radiotherapy with the risk of metastases. GH tumors appear to predominate although it is known that these cancers can develop in association with corticotrophin cancers or with prolactin cell tumors.

Unusual case of metastatic neuroendocrine tumor

OBJECTIVE

To report a rare case of metastatic growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary carcinoma causing acromegaly.

METHODS

We present a case report and review the available literature on this topic.

RESULTS

A 68-year-old woman presented with persistent acromegaly after treatment for a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma. Evaluation of long-standing cervical adenopathy revealed findings consistent with a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor. Further work-up revealed additional thyroid, parathyroid, and cervical masses. After operative treatment including total thyroidectomy, subtotal parathyroidectomy, partial thymectomy, and right modified radical neck dissection, the patient's symptoms diminished, and her GH levels approached the normal range. Surgical pathology findings were consistent with a GH-secreting pituitary carcinoma metastatic to the cervical lymph nodes, multinodular thyroid hyperplasia with a focus of papillary microcarcinoma, and parathyroid hyperplasia.

CONCLUSION

Overall, pituitary carcinomas are extremely rare. To date, about 100 cases have been reported in the world's literature, and of these, only 19 cases originated from GH-secreting cells. Our examination of the symptoms, signs, diagnosis, and treatment of our patient, in comparison with the previously reported cases, should enhance awareness of this unusual disease process.

Pituitary carcinoma: diagnosis and treatment

Pituitary carcinomas are rare pituitary tumors that by definition have cerebrospinal and/or systemic metastases. Most of the tumors occur in the setting of multiple recurrences of invasive pituitary adenomas. This article reviews the clinical presentation of these tumors, their neuroimaging and pathological features, tumor pathogenesis, and possible treatment modalities.

Metastatic prolactinoma: case report with immunohistochemical assessment for p53 and Ki-67 antigens

Pituitary carcinomas are rare neoplasms characterized by craniospinal and/or systemic metastases originated from the pituitary. Their histopathology is frequently indistinguishable from that of benign adenomas. The development of markers that better reflect their behavior is desirable. We present the case of a 47 year-old man with a prolactin-secreting macroadenoma who was submitted to surgeries, cranial radiation therapy, and bromocriptine treatment, but evolved to a fatal outcome after the disclosure of intracranial metastases. Tumor samples underwent p53 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical assessment. p53 was absent in all samples, a rare finding among pituitary carcinomas. Ki-67 proliferative index was 2.80% in the original tumor, 4.40% in the relapse, and 4.45% in the metastasis. The figure in the relapse is higher than the expected for a noninvasive adenoma. In conclusion, p53 staining is not positive in all pituitary carcinomas. A high Ki-67 proliferative index in a pituitary adenoma might indicate a more aggressive behavior.

Pituitary carcinoma: a review of the literature

Pituitary carcinomas, defined as distant metastases of a pituitary neoplasm, are rare; fewer than 140 reports exist in the English literature. The initial presenting pituitary tumor is usually a secreting, invasive macroadenoma, with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)--and prolactin (PRL)--secreting tumors being the most common. The latency period between the diagnosis of a pituitary tumor and the diagnosis of a pituitary carcinoma is 9.5 years for ACTH-producing lesions and 4.7 years for PRL-secreting tumors. Survival after documentation of metastatic disease is poor; 66% of patients die within 1 year. Treatment options include additional surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, all of which are associated with poor results. Future studies will focus on identifying those invasive pituitary tumors most likely to metastasize and treating them aggressively before they progress to pituitary carcinomas.

Non-functioning pituitary carcinoma

Null-cell carcinomas of the pituitary are extremely rare. We describe a 41-year-old woman with a large adenohypophyseal neoplasm presenting as a primary nonfunctioning tumor without pituitary insufficiency. Signs of mass effect with progressive unilateral ocular motility disorders and anterior pituitary failure developed rapidly. Histopathological examination of the trans-sphenoidally removed tumor showed a primary pituitary null cell tumor with high mitotic index. Pituitary carcinoma was suspected because of rapid relapse of ocular motility disorders and of intra-sellar tumor growth after surgery. Radiotherapy of the sellar and parasellar area with a total dose of 59.4 Gy was performed, achieving marked tumor reduction and a significant improvement of ocular motility disorders. However, 6.5 months after presentation the patient rapidly declined and died of carcinomatous meningitis. Less than 100 pituitary carcinomas have been published so far, most of them as single-case reports, and endocrine, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural data have not been described in the majority of cases. At presentation, there are no specific symptoms that allow to distinguish benign from malignant tumor. Prognosis is poor, since no curative treatment has been established, but aggressive surgery and radiotherapy has been recommended. Our case highlights the poor prognosis of nonfunctioning pituitary carcinomas.

Late development of frontal prolactinoma after resection of pituitary tumor

The unusual case of a patient with a frontal lobe prolactinoma developed 14 years after resection of a histologically benign pituitary adenoma is presented. Sixteen years after resection of this frontal mass, and 30 years after the first intervention, the patient is symptom-free and without evidence of new intracranial tumors. The possibility that frontal tumor resulted as the late proliferation of microscopic tumor seeding that took place in the course of the first surgery, is suggested. Although this case can be considered as a pituitary carcinoma, the clinical course supports that tumor seeding from pituitary tumors not necessarily indicates a poor prognosis.

The value of pituitary magnetic resonance imaging in men with hypogonadism

PURPOSE

We assessed the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain in the evaluation of hypogonadal men with a variety of endocrine patterns.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 51 men with low levels of total testosterone (TT) or free testosterone (FT) underwent MRI. Erectile dysfunction and/or decreased libido were present in 43 (84.3%) of cases and infertility in 8 (15.7%). Serum prolactin (PRL) was obtained in all cases. Low levels of TT and FT were defined as less than 300 and 1.5 ng/dl, respectively. Markedly low levels of TT were defined as less than 200 ng/dl.

RESULTS

In 38 of 51 (74.5%) men the MRI was normal. A small pituitary gland (the partially empty sella syndrome) was noted in 9 (17.6%) cases and microadenoma was noted in 4 (7.8%). Prolactin levels were greater than twice the upper limit of normal in 3 of 4 (75%) cases of adenoma, and low FT was noted in all 4 cases. An additional case of adenoma was identified in a man with markedly decreased TT and normal PRL. All men with adenoma presented with the combination of erectile dysfunction and decreased libido. Among men without adenomas the highest PRL value was always less than twice the upper limit of normal. Overall, only 1 of 17 men with markedly decreased TT (less than 200 ng/dl) demonstrated adenoma. None of the 17 men with low luteinizing hormone with low TT or FT had an adenoma or pituitary/hypothalamic mass.

CONCLUSIONS

The likelihood of identifying pituitary adenoma by MRI is high if PRL levels are more than twice the upper limit of normal. Medically significant abnormalities are identified in only a small percentage of hypogonadal men with low luteinizing hormone or if TT levels are markedly decreased. The decision to obtain MRI in these latter cases should be based on individual circumstances.

Adrenocorticotropin-producing pituitary carcinoma with metastasis to the liver in a patient with Cushing's disease

A 61-year-old woman who had a nonfunctioning pituitary tumor removed was later found to have a pituitary carcinoma with metastasis to the liver that produced adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), causing Cushing's disease. Despite the second removal of the pituitary tumor, Cushing's disease persisted. Endocrinologic examination demonstrated marked elevation of plasma ACTH, beta-endorphin, and serum cortisol concentrations, which were not suppressed by low- or high-dose dexamethasone administration. A computed tomographic scan of the abdomen revealed a solitary hypodense area in the liver consistent with a metastatic lesion. Immediately after resection of the liver tumor, plasma ACTH concentrations fell to normal range. Such a decline in ACTH secretion was not observed even after the pituitary tumor was removed. Histologic characteristics of both the pituitary and liver tumors were similar. The immunohistochemical study using anti-ACTH antibody showed similar ACTH-positive cells in the pituitary and liver tumors. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed as having liver metastasis of ACTH-secreting pituitary carcinoma. This is the first case report in which a metastatic liver tumor of a pituitary carcinoma caused ACTH.

Corticotroph carcinoma of the pituitary: a clinicopathological study. Report of four cases

To understand the relationship between pituitary adenoma and carcinoma, four adrenocorticotropic hormone-producing pituitary adenomas and corresponding metastatic carcinomas were studied. All were functional macroadenomas (three cases of Nelson syndrome and one of Cushing disease) that initially invaded the sella turcica and occurred in women ranging in age from 17 to 66 years (mean 45 years). Metastases (two craniospinal and two systemic) occurred after latency periods of 6 to 13 years. Histological specimens were immunostained for pituitary hormones, Ki-67 antigen (MIB-1), p53 and p27 proteins, D-type cyclins, and glucocorticoid receptor messenger (m)RNA. The DNA content of the specimens was assessed using Feulgen stain. Reactivities were quantified by digital image analysis. Primary/recurrent lesions and metastatic tumors differed according to their respective mean mitotic indices (1.2/10 hpf compared with 4.3/10 hpf), MIB-1 labeling (1.7% compared with 8%), p53 staining (37.3% compared with 49.9%), and p27 labeling (48% compared with 25%). Cyclin D, immunoreactivity provided no prognostically significant information. Glucocorticoid receptor mRNA was detected in all cases. Results of a ploidy analysis were variable and nonprognostic. In keeping with the 2000 World Health Organization classification of endocrine neoplasms, our findings support the concept that primary tumors that exhibit mitotic activity, an increased (> 3%) MIB-1 labeling index, and/or p53 immunoreactivity should be termed "atypical adenomas" to denote their aggressive potential and the possibility of future malignant transformation.

Pituitary carcinoma: report of an exceptional case and review of the literature

Pituitary carcinomas are exceptional tumors and constitute 0.1 to 0.2% of pituitary tumors. Their definition includes well-established criteria but distant metastasis is the hallmark required for diagnosis. We report the fourth case of gonadotropic pituitary carcinoma described in the literature. This case illustrates the dramatic outcome of these tumors. The most interesting feature of our case was the loss of differentiation with time, established by retrospective analysis of the primary tumor surgically treated 15 years earlier. Most of the previously reported cases exhibited a majority of adrenocoticotropin and non-functioning pituitary tumors. However, the frequency of non-functioning tumors seems smaller than previously believed. In the discussion, we stress the need to detect these very aggressive tumors as early as possible and identify treatments to improve the dramatic course of these carcinomas.

Corticotroph pituitary carcinoma: case report and literature review

Pituitary carcinomas, currently defined as primary adenohypophyseal neoplasms with evidence of either brain invasion or metastatic spread, are exceptionally rare. A case of corticotroph pituitary carcinoma is reported. A 17-year-old female first presented with an invasive and clinically non-functioning pituitary macroadenoma. The primary pituitary lesion lacked atypical histological features and retrospective immunohistochemical studies confirmed its corticotrophic nature. Repeated episodes of local recurrence followed together with the acquisition of severe Cushing's disease. Local disease control was not obtained despite repeated surgical decompression and courses of radiation therapy. Systemic dissemination with multiple bone metastases became manifest eleven years after the first presentation. Atypical histological features and Crooke's hyaline change were evident in both the recurrent and metastatic disease. She remains alive at last follow-up with severe complications relating to persisting sellar and metastatic disease and ongoing endocrine dysfunction. A further 32 cases of pituitary corticotroph carcinoma reported in English are reviewed to highlight the clinicopathological features of this rare form of pituitary neoplasm. Difficulties associated with the diagnosis and management of pituitary carcinoma are also discussed.

ACTH-producing pituitary cancer: experience at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre

Pituitary gland is an uncommon site of a primary cancer. Of more than 600 cases of pituitary tumors seen at the KFSH&RC between 1975 to 1998 only 3 patients had primary pituitary cancer. We have previously reported a case of pituitary fibrosarcoma arising as a rare complication of external radiotherapy (ERT) for GH-secreting pituitary adenoma (PA) [1]. We report now 2 cases of ACTH-producing primary pituitary carcinoma (ACTH-PPC); their follow-up data provide information on the natural history of this cancer. Patient #1; a 46 year old lady with Cushing's disease (CD) presented with an enlarged right cervical lymph node (LN) 2 years after having undergone a partial hypophysectomy through transsphenoidal surgery (PHYPX/TSS) and ERT for an invasive pituitary tumor. Patient #2; a 26 year old man presented with CD and underwent bilateral adrenalectomy (ADx) and pituitary ERT. Thirty-nine months later he developed Nelson's syndrome and a PHYPX/TSS was performed. Incidentally discovered hepatic metastases in this patient and an excisional biopsy of the LN in patient #1 showed histological features very similar to the pituitary tumor, and they stained strongly positive for ACTH. Perinuclear spherical hyalinized cytoplasmic inclusions were seen in the LN biopsy that corresponded to bundles of type 1 microfilaments (specific for pituitary ACTH-producing cells) seen by electron microscopy. A whole body 18-Fluoro-2-Deoxy-D-Glucose positron emission (FDG-PET) scanning, showed an intense uptake in the neck mass. A trial of octreotide did not change the exceedingly high levels of ACTH in patient #2, further supporting the diagnosis of ACTH-PPC. The clinical course of 102 months prior to his demise showed continued progression of the primary and the metastatic tumor. Patient #1, is alive at 15 months follow-up; hypercortisolemia is controlled using ketoconazole. ACTH-PPC should be entertained in a patient with CD presenting with persistent cervical lymphadenopathy. The clinical course in our patients suggests that the emergence of PC may involve a proliferative continuum from a pre-existing PA to an invasive tumor, culminating in a carcinoma. Adjunctive events such as ERT/ADx may predispose to the evolution of PC in genetically susceptible individuals. Because ERT is an effective treatment for PA its use will continue; it is important to be aware of the possible complication of primary pituitary carcinoma.

Pituitary apoplexy following metastasis of bronchogenic adenocarcinoma to a prolactinoma

A 42-year-old house wife presented with worsening headaches over 6 months in the absence of visual symptoms or symptoms suggestive of focal neurology. She was a life-long smoker. Systems review was unremarkable apart from secondary amenorrhoea and galactorrhoea of 6 months duration. Her serum prolactin was found to be 620 mU/l (60-400), FT4 12.6 nmol/l (9.8-23.1), TSH 1.38 mU/l (0.35-5.5), oestradiol < 73 pmol/l, LH and FSH of 4.4 and 12.6 mIU/l, respectively. She was on bromocriptine. A presumptive diagnosis of pneumonia, based on pyrexia and CXR findings, was made and she was started on IV antibiotics. Two days later she developed meningism and deterioration of conscious level. (Lumbar puncture results: no organisms, 312 neutrophils and 164 lymphocytes). CT scan revealed a 2.5-cm pituitary adenoma, with suprasellar extension. A repeat hormonal profile revealed FSH 1.4, LH < 0.3 mU/l, oestradiol < 73 pmol/l, prolactin 488 mU/l (60-400), and low random cortisol at 29 nmol/l. T1-weighted MRI revealed a large pituitary mass with evidence of haemorrhage. The patient subsequently underwent a transsphenoidal exploration with resection of the pituitary lesion. Whilst awaiting the histopathology results, CT of chest revealed a 1. 5-cm diameter rounded well defined density in the right lower lobe associated with hilar, pre- and right para-tracheal lymphadenopathy. The histopathology of the pituitary lesion, obtained piecemeal, revealed fragments of fibrous tissue infiltrated by sheets of acidophilic prolactin-positive cells, in keeping with a prolactinoma. In addition, other fragments with blood clot included highly atypical epithelial cells with mitotic figures. These were negative for prolactin but showed HMFG-and CEA-positivity, excluding them from a pituitary lineage. Transbronchial biopsy revealed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, with evidence of lymphatic spread. The overall conclusion was of bronchogenic adenocarcinoma, metastasizing to a prolactinoma and complicated by apoplexy.

Malignant prolactinoma: case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Malignant prolactinomas are rare events. To date, only 14 patients with metastases in- or outside the central nervous system have been reported.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We present a patient who developed a metastasis to the cauda equina, which is the first case documented with MRI. A giant prolactinoma in this 51-year-old man was partially removed by a transcranial approach. After radiotherapy and treatment with bromocriptine, the patient had a remission for 3 years. Thereafter, a sacral intraspinal tumor was diagnosed. Because of increasing prolactin levels not responding to bromocriptine and a radiologically suspected intrasellar tumor, we operated transsphenoidally first and found only fibrous tissue. We performed a sacral laminectomy and almost totally removed an intradural tumor. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of a prolactinoma metastasis. The patient received radiotherapy and bromocriptine and has no evidence of recurrent tumor or metastases after a follow-up of 38 months, thus being the second reported patient with long-term remission of the disease.

DISCUSSION

We review the literature on this topic and try to establish common features of the course of this rare malignant disease and the efficacy of therapy in the cases reported hitherto.

Acromegaly

Acromegaly can be a serious, chronic, debilitating condition. The disease is often missed for years, resulting in significantly delayed diagnosis. This article reviews recent advances in our understanding of acromegaly and the impact of current approaches on the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with this disorder.

Pituitary carcinoma: a clinicopathologic study of 15 cases

BACKGROUND

Pituitary carcinomas are rare adenohypophysial neoplasms, the definition, diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of which are controversial.

METHODS

Pituitary carcinomas were defined as primary adenohypophysial neoplasms with documented craniospinal and/or systemic metastases. The authors report a clinicopathologic study of 15 examples examined by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and image analysis. Both proliferative activity and p53 tumor suppressor gene expression were studied.

RESULTS

The study group consisted of 15 patients, including 8 males and 7 females ranging in age from 34-71 years (mean, 56 years). Of these patients, seven had adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing tumors (four in the context of Nelson's syndrome), seven had prolactin-producing tumors, and one had a nonfunctioning tumor. No evidence of diabetes insipidus was seen in any case. Fourteen tumors were initially considered macroadenomas. Of the ten cases for whom tumor extent was known, all had invasive tumors. The interval from the initial diagnosis of adenoma to that of carcinoma ranged from 0.3 to 18.0 years (mean, 6.6 years; median, 5.0 years); the longest mean interval (15.3 years) occurred for patients with Nelson's syndrome. The latency was twice as long for ACTH-producing tumors as for prolactin (PRL) cell tumors (9.5 vs. 4.7 years). All carcinomas showed a greater tendency toward systemic metastasis than craniospinal metastasis; the rate of systemic metastasis was 71% for PRL cell tumors and 57% for ACTH-producing tumors. Thirteen percent of tumors showed both patterns of metastasis. Fully 50% of primary tumors and the majority of metastases showed nuclear pleomorphism and/or hyperchromasia. The mean mitotic, MIB-1, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen indices for primary tumors and metastases were as follows: 2/10 high-power field (hpf), 2.6% and 11%, respectively; 6/10 hpf, 7.8% and 16%, respectively. Staining for p53 protein was noted in 57% of primary tumors and 88% of metastatic tumors; a relative increase in p53 expression in metastases was noted in 83%. All but one of the primary and metastatic tumors were aneuploid. The most common treatments were radiation therapy and, for PRL cell carcinomas, dopamine agonist administration. Both treatments provided only palliation. Eighty percent of the patients died of metastatic disease 7 days to 8 years after the diagnosis of carcinoma; of these, 66% died within 1 year. At last follow-up, 20% of patients were alive with metastases 9-18 months after diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly all pituitary carcinomas present as functioning, microscopically atypical or mitotically active, invasive macroadenomas. By definition, after an interval related to their immunotype, all metastasize. The tumors show a greater tendency toward systemic metastasis than craniospinal metastasis and are associated with poor prognosis. Radiation and dopamine agonist therapy generally provide only palliation. Proliferation indices and p53 expression tend to be higher in metastases than in primary tumors. The current definition of pituitary carcinoma requires the demonstration of metastasis; however, high mitotic and MIB-1 labeling indices as well as p53 immunoreactivity suggest the diagnosis and appear to be of prognostic significance. A redefinition of aggressive pituitary tumors is proposed--one that facilitates the recognition of tumors prone to metastasis.

Proliferative potential in pituitary adenomas: measurement by monoclonal antibody MIB-1

The proliferative potential of 45 pituitary adenomas was compared with their biological behaviour as determined by immunohistochemical studies, radiological findings, and clinical manifestations. The PCI (proliferating cell index) as measured using antibody MIB-1 in this study ranged from 0.05 to 4.80%, with an average PCI of 1.49 +/- 0.19% (mean +/- standard error of the mean). There was no significant correlation between proliferation and hormonal state, maximum size, intra-adenomatous haemorrhage, or invasiveness. However, a PCI > or = 1.5% appeared to correlate with the likelihood of tumour regrowth (regrowth rate: 50%); for PCIs < 1.5%, the rate was 16%. Regrowth adenomas had a higher mean MIB-1 PCI than non-regrowth adenomas [2.34 +/- 0.58% (SE) versus 1.14 +/- 0.16%, p < or = 0.05]. MIB-1 PCIs may provide information that is useful for planning follow-up studies and treatment after surgical resection.

Clinical and cytofunctional classification of pituitary adenomas: proposal of a new classification

Recent methodological advances in immunohistochemistry, ultrastructural techniques, hormonal assays, resolution imaging and molecular biology techniques have provided new insights into the pathology, function and cytogenesis of pituitary adenomas. Pituitary adenomas have been classified historically on the basis of tinctorial affinities, followed by the basis of ultrastructure and immunohistochemistry. The current development of technologies necessitate the new classification of pituitary adenomas which integrates these numerous parameters as well as the clinical manifestations. For this purpose, we suggest a new clinico-cytofunctional classification of pituitary adenomas, which is based on these clinical manifestations and integrates the information on biology, imaging function and ultrastructure. This classification which corresponds to current advances will not only provide pertinent clinical data but facilitate better understanding of the biology and nature of these complexed lesions.

Prolactin-secreting pituitary carcinoma with implants in the cheek pouch and metastases to the ovaries. A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Prolactin-secreting pituitary carcinomas are uncommon, locally destructive neoplasms that rarely metastasize outside the central nervous system. The authors report a case of a prolactin-secreting tumor that initially presented as the empty sella syndrome. Two recurrences along transsphenoidal surgery tracts in cheek pouches were followed by distant metastases later in the abdomen and pelvis. Only 10 previous cases of either extracranial or intracranial metastases from prolactin-secreting pituitary carcinomas have been reported. No metastases below the diaphragm have been reported previously.

METHODS

The patient's cheek pouch implants, lymph node metastases, ovarian metastases, and uterine metastases were studied with prolactin-specific immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Long term treatment with bromocriptine, several debulking surgeries, extensive local radiation therapy (external beam and proton beam), and cytotoxic chemotherapy had little impact. Tamoxifen, however, may have slowed tumor growth.

CONCLUSION

Tamoxifen may have efficacy in the treatment of prolactin-secreting pituitary carcinomas.

Gonadotropic pituitary carcinoma: case report

A 37-year-old man developed multiple intracranial, intraspinal, and general metastases from an invasive nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma after surgery and radiation therapy. This is the first gonadotropic pituitary carcinoma reported in literature.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of pituitary carcinoma with cervical lymph node metastases: a report of two cases and review of the literature

Metastases from pituitary carcinomas are rare lesions that can mimic other tumors on fine-needle aspiration biopsies. Two patients with primary pituitary neoplasms developed cervical lymph node metastases, which were sampled and diagnosed correctly using the fine-needle aspiration biopsy technique. These two cases demonstrate the varied cytologic patterns of pituitary neoplasms, ranging from uniform bland cells to cells with striking anaplastic features. The time period between the onset of symptoms and subsequent metastases is unpredictable as well, underscoring the need for an accurate clinical history before a meaningful cytologic interpretation is made.

Case report: multiple intra-cranial metastases from a prolactin-secreting pituitary tumour

Only seven cases of metastatic prolactin-secreting pituitary tumour have been reported in world literature. The metastases were intra-cranial in five cases and extra-cranial in two cases. We report a further case with multiple intra-cranial metastases in the supra-tentorial compartment. Histologically, both primary and metastatic tumours were benign with strongly positive immuno-histochemical staining for prolactin. Our case exemplifies the inconsistent correlation between the histopathological appearance and biological behaviour of malignant pituitary tumours.

Carcinoma of the pituitary in association with pulmonary stenosis and microcephaly

We report a 31-year-old female with microcephaly and pulmonary stenosis who developed a pituitary carcinoma: this combination of anomalies has not been described previously.

Aggressive small cell tumor of the skull base

A 40-year-old Black man presenting with increasing nasal discharge of bloody, mucoid pus as well as nasal obstruction over a 2-month period is described. Magnetic resonance imaging of the skull showed a tumor eroding through the skull base into the clivus and extending into the sphenoid sinus. Endoscopy of the sphenoid sinus demonstrated a polypoid mass extending into the posterior choanae. The lesion was partially resected. Histologic evaluation showed a cellular small blue cell tumor punctuated by bland, epithelial-lined microcysts. Electron microscopy revealed epithelial cells with abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and electron-dense membrane-bound endocrine granules, some undergoing misplaced exocytosis. Immunohistochemical evaluation demonstrated cytoplasmic reactivity for neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, and prolactin. Stains for leukocyte common antigen, HMB-45, desmin, cytokeratin, chromogranin, and the remaining spectrum of pituitary hormones including growth hormone, corticotropin, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and thyrotrophic hormone were negative. In contrast, the epithelium lining the cysts was cytokeratin positive and synaptophysin negative. This ostensibly small cell tumor therefore represented a remarkably extensive and aggressive prolactin cell adenoma with unusual light microscopic features. Characterization of the lesion required electron microscopy and further confirmation by immunocytology. The distinction of pituitary adenomas and particularly of prolactin cell tumors from other adenoma types and from other small cell lesions markedly affects therapy and patient prognosis.

Intracranial dissemination of a macroprolactinoma

A patient with a macroprolactinoma and extrasellar extension was treated by incomplete transfrontal surgery, external irradiation and additional bromocriptine (Br) treatment. After 4 years, partial bromocriptine resistance developed (a rare occurrence) together with the appearance of intracranial metastases. 123I-Iodobenzamide was helpful in evaluating the dopamine D2 receptor status of the metastatic tumour both in vivo using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and in vitro. Prolactin release by the cultured metastatic tumour cells was more potently inhibited by CV 205-502 than by bromocriptine. The patient, treated by surgery, irradiation and CV 205-502, developed a ptosis of the left eye and a transient psychiatric delusional state, the latter probably an effect of the dopamine agonist. As the right frontal metastasis was markedly positive on SPECT with 111In-SMS, somatostatin treatment was added to the CV 205-502.

Growth hormone secreting pituitary carcinoma: a case report and literature review

Only five cases of growth hormone secreting pituitary carcinoma have been documented. We present a 49-year-old West Indian male with grossly elevated plasma growth hormone (760-10,400 mU/l), and a large aggressive pituitary tumour that continued to grow despite repeated pituitary surgery, radiotherapy and medical therapy (bromocriptine and somatostatin analogue). Thirteen years after diagnosis the patient died secondary to left ventricular failure. A post-mortem revealed a large locally invasive pituitary tumour, but in addition numerous tumour seedlings within the cerebrospinal fluid space, and a solitary intraparenchymal tumour deposit within the right temporal lobe, clearly separate from the primary tumour. Pituitary carcinoma should be considered in any acromegalic with grossly elevated plasma growth hormone levels who fails to respond to conventional therapy.

Re-irradiation of pituitary adenoma

Fifteen patients initially irradiated for pituitary adenoma were subsequently treated with a second course of radiotherapy at the University of California at San Francisco between 1961 and 1989. The re-irradiation followed surgery in all but two cases. The median time to recurrence was 9 years (range 2-17) and median follow-up after the second course of radiotherapy was 10 years (range 1-30). The median initial radiation dose was 4084 cGy; that at recurrence was 4200 cGy. Local control has been maintained in 12 patients. One failed locally with a benign adenoma that was surgically salvaged. Two developed pituitary carcinomas which were poorly controlled. Of the patients who presented with visual abnormalities at the time of recurrence, 50% improved and the remainder stabilized after re-irradiation. There are no long-term visual complications. Hypopituitarism was present in nine patients prior to the second course of radiotherapy and developed in the remaining six patients after re-irradiation. Temporal lobe injury was seen in two patients. Careful analysis of each patient's pituitary and temporal lobe doses, intervals between treatments, treatment volume, neurets, relative decay factors, absolute decay factors, TDF and modified LQF values, and dose-volume relationships, revealed no correlation with complication or likelihood of local control. Repeat radiotherapy for recurrent pituitary adenoma with the doses used in these patients appears to carry acceptable risk with good local control.