Chapter 25 - Tumors of the Endocrine System Flashcards
What are the 3 classifications for endocrine tumors?
Non-neoplastic hyperplasias
Benign adenomas
Malignant carcinomas
How does non-neoplastic hyperplasia occur?
As a consequence of aberrant secretion of trophic hormones resulting in growth and increased function
Is hyperplasia reversible? Why is this controversial?
Not always even though the inciting cause is removed. Can be confused or difficult to differentiate from tumors as they grow independent of trophic factors
What are the general clinical manifestations of neuroendocrine tumors?
Result of growth, expansion, and metastasis of the tumor, producing traditional sequelae due to compression of normal tissue (adenoma), invasion and destruction of regional or systemic normal tissue function (carcinoma), and secretion of hormones or hormone-like substances
What is considered to be the classic theory of carcinogenesis in thyroid tissue? What has emerged recently?
Accumulation of somatic mutations leading to dedifferentiation from mature to anaplastic cells.
The theory of epithelial to mesenchymal transition which suggests the potential for cancer stem cells
What growth factors are known to play a role in the pathogenesis of endocrine neoplasia?
epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factors, growth hormone
Any single growth factor, however, cannot cause malignant transformation of a cell
From what cell types can pituitary tumors arise from (5)?
- corticotrophs
- somatotrophs
- thyrotrophs
- gonadotrophs
- lactotrophs
What are the different types of pituitary tumors? histologic types maybe?
Non invasive adenoma, invasive adenomas, adenocarcinomas (reserved for when mets are present)
Clinical size of pituitary tumors depend on what 2 big things?
Size and what they secrete
Which is the most clinically important pituitary tumor in the dog? What does it produce and with what clinical signs is it associated with?
Pituitary adenoma, corticotroph adenoma
Chronically excessive amounts of ACTH
Associated with clinical signs of hypercortisolism
Which is the most clinically important pituitary tumor in cats? With what clinical sings is it associated with?
GH-secreting somatotroph pituitary adenoma, occurs in the pars distalis
Causes acromegaly and insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus
When do non-functional pituitary tumors become clinically significant?
When they are large enough to cause neurologic signs - obtundation, stupor, behavioral changes, decreased apetite, etc
In a case series of 177 cases, what was the second most common type of brain tumor found and for what percentage did it account for?
Pituitary tumors
25%
Secondary intracranial neoplasia in the dog: 177 cases. JVIM, 2008.
What is another way pituitary tumors may present?
With loss of their function, resulting in hypothyroidism, hypocotisolism, gonadal atrophy, central diabetes insipidus
What is the most common cause of hypercortisolism in dogs? It accounts for ___% of cases.
Pituitary dependent Cushing’s disease = pituitary corticotroph adenoma
85%
What is the endocrinologic pathogenesis of pituitary corticotroph tumors?
Chronic excessive production of ACTH, which subsequently stimulates both of the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.
There is loss of negative feedback inhibition at the level of the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus can no longer control the production of ACTH as it does not matter if it produces CRH or not, pituitary gland will do what it wants. Feedback loops are not inhibited by the increased amount of cortisol.
What proteins and receptors are thought to be involved in pituitary corticotrophs?
leukemia inhibitory factor and its receptor are expressed but not mutated
Dopamine type 2 and somatostatin type 2 receptors are more prevalent in pituitary tumors when compared to normal pituitary tissues but expressed at low levels
What is the difference between a pituitary macroadenoma and a microadenoma?
This comes from human medicine
Micro <1cm in diameter
Macro >1cm in diameter
Controversial in human medicine
In a 2010 cross-sectional imaging study of 33 dogs with pituitary tumors, what percentage were found to be adenomas, invasive adenomas, and adenocarcinomas?
Adenomas - 61%
Invasive adenomas - 33%
Adenocarcinomas - 6%
Cross-sectional imaging characteristics of pituitary adenomas, invasive adenomas, and adenocarcinomas in dogs: 33 cases. JVIM, 2010.
What is the typical age, sex, and breed for dogs with PDH?
Older than 9 years
Females overrepresented
Dachshunds, terrier breeds, GSD, poodle breeds
What are the most common clinical signs of hypercortisolism?
PU, PD, polyphagia, abdominal enlargement, lethargy, panting, exercise intolerance, muscle weakness, alopecia, calcinosis cutis, thinning of the skin, reproductive abnormalities
Glucose intolerance and insulin resistance can develop in up to ___ of Cushing’s cases.
10%
What are the 4 effects of glucocorticoids that are responsible for the changes seen in dogs with HC or Cushings?
Glucocorticoid effects:
- Gluconeogenic effects
- Catabolic effects
- Immunosuppressive effects
- Antiinflammatory effects
The catabolic effects of glucocorticoids result in what?
- Thinning of the skin
- Poor wound healing
- Muscle wasting
- Decreased bone density