Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T03:22:54.833Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Ultrastructural Classification of Pituitary Adenomas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

E. Horvath*
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, St. Michael's Hospital and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
K. Kovacs
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, St. Michael's Hospital and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
*
Department of Pathology, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario MSB IW8 Canada
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary:

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Forty-eight surgically removed pituitary adenomas have been investigated hy electron microscopy. Distinct differences in fine structural appearances permitted their separation into 5 classes: 1) Growth hormone, (GH)-cell tumors; 2) Prolactin cell tumors; 3) Mixed adenomas composed of GH and prolactin cell's; 4) Adrenocorticotrophic-Melanocyte stimulating hormone (ACTH-MSH) cell tumors; 5) Undifferentiated cell adenomas. Densely and sparsely granulated tumors were distinguished within forms appeared to represent well defined entities, they may be variants of the same tumor differing only in pace of hormone production and/or release. Number and size of secretory granules varied considerably among tumors composed of the same cell type indicating that pituitary tumor classification cannot be based solely on granule morphology. This classification takes into account morphogenesis with emphasis on clinical features and structure-function relationship.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1976

References

REFERENCES

Bergland, R.M., and Torack, R.M., (1969). An ultrastructural study of follicular cells in the human pituitary. American Journal of Pathology, 57, 273297.Google Scholar
Boyar, R.M., Kapen, S., Finkels-Tein, J.W., Perlow, M., Sassin, J.G., Fukushima, D.K., Weitzman, E.D., and Hellman, L., (1974). Hypothalamic-pituitary function in diverse hyperprolactinemic states. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 53, 15881598.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cardell, R.R. Jr., and Knighton, R.S., (1966). The cytology of a human pituitary tumor: an electron microscopic study. Transactions of the American Microscopical Society, 85, 5878.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
DeCicco, F.A., Dekker, I, and Yunis, E.J., (1972). Fine structure of Crooke's hyaline change in the human pituitary gland. Archives of Pathology, 94, 6570.Google ScholarPubMed
Doniach, I., (1972). Cytology of pituitary adenomas. Journal of Royal College of Physicians of London, 6, 299308.Google ScholarPubMed
Farquhar, M.G., (1957). “Corticotrophs” of the rat adenohypophysis as revealed by electron microscopy. Anatomical Records, 127, 291 (abstr).Google Scholar
Foncin, J.F., (1971). Morphologie ultrastructurale de l’hypophyse humaine. Neuro-Chirurgie, 17, Suppl. 1, 1024.Google Scholar
Foncin, J.F., and Le BEAU, J., (1963). Étude au microscopie optique et électronique d’une tumeur hypophysaire à fonction adrénocorticotrope. Comptes rendus de la Société de Biologie, 157, 249252.Google Scholar
Fukumitsu, T., (1967). Electron microscopie study of the human pituitary adenomas. Archiv fur Japanische Chirurgie, 33, 329349.Google Scholar
Guinet, P., Girod, C, Pousset, G., Trouillas, J., and L’HERMITE, M., (1973). Un cas d’adénome à cellules à pro-ladine: dosage de prolactine, étude au microscope électronique, résultats post-opératoires. Annales d'Endocrinologie, 34, 407417.Google Scholar
Guyda, H., Robert, F., Colle, E., and Hardy, J., (1973). Histologie, ultrastructural and hormonal characterization of a pituitary tumor secreting both hGH and prolactin. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 36, 531547.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hamilton, C.R. Jr., Adams, L.C, and Maloof, F., (1970). Hyperthyroidism due to thyrotropin-producing pituitary chromophobe adenoma. New England Journal of Medicine, 283, 10771080.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Herlant, M., and Pasteels, J.L., (1967). Histophysiology of human anterior pituitary. Methods and achievements in experimental pathology, Vol. 3, 250305, Ed. Bajusz, E. and Jasmin, G.. Karger, S., Basel/New York.Google Scholar
Horvath, E., and Kov ACS, K., (1974). Misplaced exocytosis. Distinct ultrastructural feature in some pituitary adenomas. Archives of Pathology, 97, 221224.Google ScholarPubMed
Horvath, E., Kov ACS, K., Penz, G., and Ezrin, C., (1974). Origin, possible function and fate of “follicular cells” in the anterior lobe of the human pituitary. American Journal of Pathology, 77, 199212.Google ScholarPubMed
Kinnman, J., (1973). Acromegaly. An ultrastructural analysis of 51 adenomas and a clinical study in 80 patients treated by transanthrosphenoidal operation. P. A. Norstedt & Sòner, Stockholm.Google Scholar
Kovacs, K., and Horvath, E., (1973). Pituitary “chromophobe” adenoma composed of oncocytes. Archives of Pathology, 95, 235239.Google ScholarPubMed
Kovacs, K., and Horvath, E., (1974). Amphophil adenoma of the human pituitary gland with masses of cytoplasmic microfi-laments. Endokrinologie, 63, 402408.Google Scholar
Kovacs, K., Horvath, E., and Bilbao, J.M., (1974a). Oncocytes in the anterior lobe of the human pituitary gland. A light and electron microscopic study. Acta Neuropathologica (Berlin), 27, 4353.Google Scholar
Kovacs, K., Horvath, E., and Bilbao, J.M., (in press). Annulate lamellae in adenomas of human pituitary glands. Acta anatomica.Google Scholar
Kovacs, K., Horvath, E., Corenb-LUM, B., Sirek, A.M.T., Penz, G., and Ezrin, C., (1975). Pituitary chromophobe adenomas consisting of prolactin cells: a histologic, immunocytological and electron microscopic study. Virchows Archiv Abteilung A Pathologische Anatomie, 366, 113123.Google Scholar
Kovacs, K., Horvath, E., Strat-MAN, I.E., and Ezrin, C., (1974b). Cytoplasmic microfilaments in the anterior lobe of the human pituitary gland. Acta anatomica, 87, 414426.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kuromatsu, C., (1968). The fine structure of the human pituitary chromophobe adenoma with special reference to the classification of this tumor. Archivum His-tologicum Japonicum, 29, 4161.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Landolt, A.M., and Oswald, U.W., (1973). Histology and ultrastructure of an oncocytic adenoma of the human pituitary. Cancer, 31, 10991105.3.0.CO;2-G>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lewis, P.D., and Van NOORDEN, S., (1972). Pituitary abnormalities in acromegaly. Archives of Pathology, 94, 119126.Google ScholarPubMed
Lewis, P.D., and Van NOORDEN, S., (1974). “Nonfunctioning” pituitary tumors. Archives of Pathology, 97, 178182.Google ScholarPubMed
Lundin, M., and Schelin, U., (1962). Light and electron microscopical studies on the pituitary in stilboestrol-treated rats. Acta pathologica et microbiologica Scan-dinavica, 54, 6674.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McCormick, W.F., and Halmi, N.S., (1971). Absence of chromophobe adenomas from a large series of pituitary tumors. Archives of Pathology, 92, 231238.Google ScholarPubMed
Milhaud, M., and Pappas, G.D., (1968). Cilia formation in the adult cat brain after pargyline treatment. Journal of Cell Biology, 37, 599609.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mirouze, J., Jaffiol, C, Mary, P., Baldet, P., and Monnier, L., (1969). Deux syndromes originaux “Amenorrhée-galactorrhée” par tumeur hypophysaire. Discussion anatomoclinique. Etude ultrastructurale de l’un d’eux. Annales d’Endocrinologie, 30, 810821.Google Scholar
Moriarty, G.C., (1973). Adenohypophysis: ultrastructural cytochemistry. A review. Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, 21, 855894.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mosca, L., and Vassallo, G., (1970). Morphologia dei tumori ipofisari nell’huomo. Atti del XIII Congresso Nationale della Società Italiana di Endocrinologia. 13, 339401.NEGoogle Scholar
Lson, D.H., Meakin, J.W., Dealy, J.B. Jr., Matson, D.D., Emerson, K. Jr., and Thorn, G.W., (1958). ACTH-producing tumor of the pituitary gland. New England Journal of Medicine, 259, 161164.Google Scholar
Nelson, D.H., and Thorn, G.W., (1960). ACTH-producing tumors following adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome. Annals of Internal Medicine, 52, 560569.Google ScholarPubMed
Peake, G.T., Mckeel, D.W., Jarett, L., and Daughaday, W.H., (1969). Ultrastructural, histologic and hormonal characterization of a prolactin-rich human pituitary tumor. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 29, 13831393.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Peillon, F., Vila-PORCILE, E., Olivier, L., and Racadot, J., (1970). L’action des oestrogènes sur les adénome hypophysaires chez l'homme. Annales d’Endocrinologie, 31, 259270.Google Scholar
Pelletier, G., (1971). Classification et physiopathologie des tumeurs hypophysaires. L’Union Médical du Canada, 100, 17791783.Google Scholar
Polyzonis, M.G., (1970). Ultrastructural study of human parathyroid adenoma and the occurrence of abnormal cilia in the adenoma cells. Pathologia Europaea, 5, 454469.Google ScholarPubMed
Racadot, J., Peillon, F., Vila-Porclle, E., and Olivier, L., (1973). Les adénomes hypophysaires dans la maladie de Cushing. étude de 21 cas. Annales d’Endocrinologie, 34, 753754.Google Scholar
Racadot, J., Vila-PORCILE, E., Peillon, F., and Olivier, L., (1971). Adénomes hypophysaires à cellules à profetine: étude structurale et ultrastructurale correlations anatomo-cliniques. Annales d’Endocrinologie, 32, 298305.Google Scholar
Rennels, E.G., (1964). Electron microscopic alterations in the rat hypophysis after scalding. American Journal of Anatomy, 114, 7191.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Robert, F., (1973). L’adénome hypophy-saire dans l’acromégalie-gigantisme. étude macroscopique, histologique et ultrastructurale. Neuro-Chirurgie, 19, Suppl. 2, 117184.Google Scholar
Rovit, R.L., and Berry, R., (1965). Cushing’s syndrome and the hypophysis. A re-evaluation of pituitary tumors and hyperadrenalism. Journal of Neurosurgery, 23, 270292.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Saeger, W., (1973a). Licht- und elek-tronenoptische Untersuchungen zur sek-retorischen Aktivitat von Hypophysen-adenomen bei Akromegalie. Virchows Archiv Abteilung A Pathologische Anatomie, 358, 343354.Google Scholar
Saeger, W., (1973b). Zur Ultrastruktur der Hypophysenadenome beim Cushing-Syndrom nach Adrenalektomie. Virchows Archiv Abteilung A Pathologische Anatomie, 361, 3950.Google Scholar
Schechter, J., (1973a). Electron microscopic studies of human pituitary tumors. 1. Chromophobic adenomas. American Journal of Anatomy, 138, 371386.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schechter, J., (1973b). Electron microscopic studies of human pituitary tumors. II. Acidophilic adenomas. American Journal of Anatomy, 138, 387399.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schelin, U., (1962). Chromophobe and acidophil adenomas of the human pituitary gland. A light and electron microscopic study. Acta pathologica et microbiologica Scandinavica, Suppl. 158, 580.Google Scholar
Schelin, U., and Lundin, P.M., (1971). An electron microscopic study of normal and neoplastic acidophil cells of the rat pituitary. Acta Endocrinologica (Kbh), 67, 2939.Google ScholarPubMed
Schelin, U., Lundin, P.M., and Bartholdson, L., (1964). Light and electron microscopic studies on an autonomous stilboestrol-induced pituitary tumor in rats. Endocrinology, 75, 893900.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schochet, S.S. Jr., Mccormick, W.F, and Halmi, N.S., (1972). Acidophil adenomas with intracytoplasmic filamentous aggregates. A light and electron microscopic study. Archives of Pathology, 94, 1622.Google ScholarPubMed
Schochet, S.S. Jr., Mccormick, W.F., and Halmi, N.S., (1974). Salivary gland rests in the human pituitary. Light and electron microscopical study. Archives of Pathology, 98, 193200.Google ScholarPubMed
Tolis, G., Somma, M., Campenhout, , Van, J., and Friesen, H., (1974). Prolactin secretion in sixty-five patients with galactorrhea. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 118, 91101.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tomiyasu, U., Hirano, A., and Zimmerman, H.M., (1973). Fine structure of human pituitary adenoma. Archives of Pathology, 95, 287292.Google ScholarPubMed
Woolf, P.D., and Schenk, E.A., (1974). An FSH-producing pituitary tumor in a patient with hypogonadism. Journal of Clinical Endrocrinology and Metabolism, 38, 561568.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yamashita, K., (1972). Fine structure of the mouse anterior pituitary maintained in a a short-term incubation system. Zeitschrift fiir Zellforschung, 124, 465478.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zambrano, D., Amezua, L., Dick-MANN, G., and Franke, E., (1968). Ultrastructure of human pituitary adenomata. Acta Neurochirurgica, 18, 7894.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zimmerman, E.A., Defendini, R., and Frantz, A.G., (1974). Prolactin and growth hormone in patients with pituitary adenomas: a correlative study of hormone in tumor and plasma by immunoperoxidase technique and radio-immunoassay. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 38, 577584.CrossRefGoogle Scholar