Pathology Flashcards
What compressive symptom can tumours in / around the pituitary cause?
Hypofunction - a deficiency of hormones produced in the adenohypophysis
What can tumours cause if they cause an excess of hormonal secretion?
Hyperfunction of the pituitary
What is a PitNET ?
Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumour
What are the 3 classifications of different transcription factors of PitNETs?
PIT 1 lineage
TPIT lineage
SF I lineage
Name the 4 main PIT 1tumours and what they produce?
Thyrotroph PitNET - TSH
Somatotroph PitNET - Growth hormone
Lactotroph PitNET - Prolactin
Mammosomatotroph PitNET - Growth hormone and prolactin
Name the tumour classified as a TPIT lineage and what it produces?
What does this cause?
Corticotroph PitNET - ACTH
Cortisol excess
What can a corticotroph PitNET ultimately cause?
Cushing’s disease
Name the tumour classified as a SF 1 lineage and what it is known for?
Gonadotroph PitNET - clinically non-functioning
Mass effects - visual disturbances, headaches, hypopituitarism
Name the 2 types of adrenal cortical origin?
Adrenal cortical adenoma
Adrenal cortical carcinoma
Unilateral / solitary, well-circumscribed, non-invasive nodule that can be functional OR non-functional describes what type of adrenal tumour?
Adrenal cortical adenoma
Unilateral / solitary, less well defined, invasive nodule that can be functional OR non-functional describes what type of adrenal tumour?
Adrenal cortical carcinoma
Name the most common neoplasm of the adrenal medulla?
Pheochromocytoma
What is a paraganglioma?
What are they very similar to?
A tumour arising from extra-adrenal tissue
Pheochromocytomas
What is a ‘Zellballen’ pattern often suggestive of?
Pheochromocytoma
Are pheochromocytomas malignant or benign?
Due to the nature of the tumours - patients with pheochromocytomas are considered to have lifelong risk of metastases and are conceptually considered ‘malignant’
