Other Anterior Pituitary Neoplasm

Question 1

What are other anterior pituitary tumors?

Answer 1

• Gonadotroph adenomas
• Thyrotroph (thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH]–producing) adenomas
• Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas: It mannifestion comes from mass effect
• Pituitary carcinomas: They are rare and in addition to local extension beyond the sella turcica, these tumors virtually always metastasize to distant sites.

Question 2

Why is Gonadotroph adenomas difficult to recognise?

Answer 2

They secrete hormones inefficiently and variably and the secretory products usually do not cause a recognizable clinical syndrome. They are typically detected when the tumors become large enough to cause signs and symptoms related to local mass effects.

Question 3

Which are the signs and symptoms associated with larg adenomas/larg mass?

Answer 3

• Impaired vision
• Headaches
• Diplopia
• Pituitary apoplexy

Question 4

How is Gonadotroph adenomas detected? Which hormone is usually produced by the tumor?

Answer 4

In gonadotroph adenomas, the cancerous cells typically show a reaction to certain substances that are present in luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), including a specific subunit known as β-FSH and another one known as β-LH. FSH is usually the hormone that these tumors produce and release the most.

Question 5

How does nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas cause hypopituitarism?

Answer 5

Sometimes these tumors grow and put pressure on the normal anterior pituitary gland, which can cause the gland to work less effectively. This can happen slowly over time as the tumor grows or suddenly if there is bleeding inside the tumor (pituitary apoplexy).