Endocrine 1 Flashcards
Are pituitary diseases common or uncommon?
•Uncommon
How do pituitary diseases usually present (2 ways)?
- hyperfunction or hypofunction of the pituitary
- a localized mass lesion causing compression of the optic chiasm or basal portion of the brain.
In pituitary hyperfunction, why is the pituitary enlarged?
•The pituitary is enlarged due to these functioning Adenomas, which are composed of a single cell type or several cell types.
T/F: pituitary hyperfunction can present in several forms depending on which one of the five cells is hyperfunctioning.
true
Pituitary hyperfunction-
which is the most common tumor and what type of cells is it composed of?
Prolactinoma
composed of lactotrophic cells
What are 2 less common pituitary hyperfunction adenomas?
Somatotropic and Corticotropic Adenomas
Which tumor?
•Are usually small, benign tumors composed of prolactin-secreting cells.
Prolactinomas
What are the typical symptoms of prolactinomas (3)?
typical symptoms of hyperprolactinemia :
- Amenorrhea
- Galactorrhea (spontaneous milk secretion unrelated to pregnancy)
- infertility
In prolactinomas, hyperprolactinemia inhibits what?
hyperprolactinemia inhibits the pulsatile secretion of LH, which is essential for normal ovulation to occur.
In men, what are the sxs of prolactinomas?
- sx’s are vague, may include:
- impotence
- loss of libido
What medication can be given to patients with Prolactinomas and how does it work?
- The function of prolactinomas can be inhibited with Bromocriptine
- this is an inhibitor of prolactin secretion
How do you treat larger prolactinomas?
transnasal sx to the Sella Tursica
Which hyperfunctioning pituitary tumor is composed of cells synthesizing growth hormone
Somatotropic Adenomas
How are somatotropic adenomas different from prolactinomas?
- Prolactinomas are microscopic, 75% of Somatotropic Adenomas are clearly visible with the naked eye or CT scan
- because of this, Somatotropic Adenomas are classified as macroadenomas
Somatotropic Adenomas:
T/F: the clinical signs and symptoms of GH hyper secretion is the same no matter the age of the patient.
FALSE
The clinical signs and symptoms of GH hypersecretion depends on the age of the patient
What do Somatotropic Adenomas cause in prepubertal patients before the closure of epiphyseal plates of the long bones?
these tumors stimulate longitudinal skeletal growth, resulting in Gigantism, individuals more than eight feet tall.
Which adenoma causes Gigantism?
Somatotropic adenomas
(in prepubertal patients)
What do Somatotropic Adenomas cause in postpubertal patients?
Acromegaly
How does Somatotropic Adenomas in postpubertal patients present (3 things) and what is this called?
Acromegaly
Presents as:
- enlargement of the acral parts of the extremities (fingers, hands and toes), tongue, jaw and nose
- internal organs enlarged (ex: heart, liver, etc)
- Metabolic disturbances- hyperglycemia and hypercalcemia
What type of cell are Corticotropic Adenomas composed of?
ACTH-secreting cells
What is the tx of choice for acromegaly?
Surgical remover of the tumor
Are Corticotropic Adenomas micro or macroadenomas?
Most tumors are microadenomas
Corticotropic Adenomas are clinically recognized by the typical signs and symtpoms of what disease?
What are these 3 signs/symptoms?
Cushings disease
Signs/sxs:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Mental instability
True of false, removal of the corticotropic adenoma results in NO improvement of clinical symptoms
FALSE
removal results in an IMPROVEMENT of clinical sxs
