SILENT CORTICOTROPIC ADENOMAS OF THE HUMAN PITUITARY-GLAND - HISTOLOGIC, IMMUNOCYTOLOGIC, AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL-STUDY

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  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 98  (3) , 617-+
Abstract
Among 300 surgically removed pituitary adenomas, 17 tumors containing immunoreactive 1-39 ACTH and/or 19-39 ACTH, .beta.-lipotropin and .alpha.-endorphin but unassociated with clinical signs of Cushing''s disease were detected. These neoplasms were divided into basophilic adenomas with strong periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and lead-hematoxylin positivity and chromophobic tumors with moderate or no PAS and lead-hematoxylin positivity. The former were densely granulated tumors with a fine structure strikingly similar to that of functioning corticotropic cell adenomas. The latter were sparsely granulated with varying ultrastructural patterns. The marked morphologic diversity suggests that these adenomas, despite their similar immunocytologic characteristics, represent more than 1 entity. Clinically, the most common finding was a rapidly progressing visual defect. An unusually high incidence of infarction (5 cases) and recurrence (5 cases) was noted, underlining the importance of correct morphologic diagnosis and careful follow-up.