Search results for "pituitary tumor"
showing 8 items of 8 documents
Stem Cells in Pituitary Tumors: Experimental Evidence Supporting Their Existence and Their Role in Tumor Clinical Behavior
2019
Although generally benign, pituitary tumors frequently show local invasiveness and resistance to pharmacological therapy. After the demonstration of the existence of pituitary gland stem cells, over the past decade, the presence of a stem cell subpopulation in pituitary tumors has been investigated, analogous to the cancer stem cell model developed for malignant tumors. This review recapitulates the experimental evidence supporting the existence of a population of stem-like cells in pituitary tumors, focusing on their potential role in tumor initiation, progression, recurrence and resistance to pharmacological therapy.
Early Lung Function Abnormalities in Acromegaly.
2014
BACKGROUND: Acromegaly is an insidious disorder caused by a pituitary growth hormone (GH)-secreting adenoma resulting in high circulating levels of GH and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). Respiratory disorders are common complications in acromegaly, and can severely impact on quality of life, eventually affecting mortality. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to explore structural and functional lung alterations of acromegalic subjects. METHODS: We enrolled 10 consecutive patients (M/F: 5/5) affected by acromegaly. In all patients, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the presence of pituitary tumor. All patients underwent clinical, lung functional, biological, and radiological as…
Endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery: Surgical and outcome analysis of 50 cases
2007
Abstract Objective Microsurgical transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumors has been standard therapy for decades and was established by Harvey Cushing in the early twentieth century. Today, endoscopy is increasingly accepted in the therapy of pituitary lesions. In this retrospective study, we analysed the surgical technique and outcome of 50 patients with pituitary lesions treated with an endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoidal approach. Methods Between January 2004 and July 2005, 50 patients (30 female and 20 male) with pituitary tumors were operated upon using an endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoidal procedure without nasal speculum or postoperative nasal packing. The follow-up period ra…
Effect of Cabergoline on Metabolism in Prolactinomas.
2013
<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Hyperprolactinemia has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and glucose intolerance and is reportedly associated with an impaired metabolic profile. The current study aimed at investigating the effects of 12- and 60-month treatment with cabergoline (CAB) on metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with prolactinomas. <b><i>Patients and Methods:</i></b> 61 patients with prolactinomas (13 men, 48 women, 41 with microadenoma, 20 with macroadenoma), aged 34.4 ± 10.3 years, entered the study. In all patients, prolactin (PRL) and metabolic parameters were assessed at diagnosis and after 12 and 60 months of continuo…
Corticotroph aggressive pituitary tumours and carcinomas frequently harbour ATRX mutations
2021
Abstract Context Aggressive pituitary tumors (APTs) are characterized by unusually rapid growth and lack of response to standard treatment. About 1% to 2% develop metastases being classified as pituitary carcinomas (PCs). For unknown reasons, the corticotroph tumors are overrepresented among APTs and PCs. Mutations in the alpha thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX) gene, regulating chromatin remodeling and telomere maintenance, have been implicated in the development of several cancer types, including neuroendocrine tumors. Objective To study ATRX protein expression and mutational status of the ATRX gene in APTs and PCs. Design We investigated ATRX protein expression by us…
Inflammatory pituitary lesions
2021
Abstract Inflammatory pituitary lesions are rare but important differential diagnoses of nonfunctioning pituitary masses. Primary hypophysitis as an autoimmune disorder has received increasing attention over the past decades. In the last decade, immune checkpoint inhibitor–induced hypophysitis has emerged as a new type of secondary hypophysitis. Various pituitary tumors may also cause secondary hypophysitis. Systemic, noninfectious granulomatous diseases that can involve the pituitary region include sarcoidosis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, Erdheim-Chester disease, and Rosai-Dorfman disease. Furthermore, infectious diseases can affect the pituitary gland.…
First German Guideline on Diagnostics and Therapy of Clinically Non-Functioning Pituitary Tumors
2021
AbstractAlthough non-functioning pituitary tumors are frequent, diagnostic and therapeutic concepts are not well standardized. We here present the first German multidisciplinary guideline on this topic. The single most important message is to manage the patients by a multidisciplinary team (consisting at least of an endocrinologist, a neurosurgeon, and a (neuro-) radiologist). The initial diagnostic work-up comprises a detailed characterization of both biochemical (focusing on hormonal excess or deficiency states) and morphological aspects (with magnetic resonance imaging of the sellar region). An ophthalmological examination is only needed in presence of symptoms or large tumors affecting …
Diabetes Secondary to Acromegaly: Physiopathology, Clinical Features and Effects of Treatment.
2018
Acromegaly is a rare disease due to chronic GH excess and to the consequent increase in IGF-1 levels. Both GH and IGF-1 play a role in intermediate metabolism affecting glucose homeostasis. Indeed, chronic GH excess impairs insulin sensitivity, increases gluconeogenesis, reduces the glucose uptake in adipose tissue and muscle and alters pancreatic β cells function. As a consequence, glucose metabolism alterations are a very frequent complication in acromegaly patients, further contributing to the increased cardiovascular risk and mortality. Treatment modalities of acromegaly differently impact on glucose tolerance. Successful surgical treatment of acromegaly ameliorates glucose metabolism a…