[Should silent corticotroph-cell adenoma be classified as a non-functional pituitary adenoma?]

A 45-year-old man underwent surgery for a silent corticotroph-cell pituitary adenoma which developed in 9 months. The tumor was termed silent because it exhibited increased corticotropic secretion without clinical signs of hypercorticism. This classes it as a non-functional adenoma. The non-functional group includes different types of adenomas such as gonadotroph and other silent thyreotroph and somatotroph adenomas with variable proliferative potential. Silent corticotroph-cell adenoma is considered as an aggressive tumor. In contrast, gonadotroph adenomas usually grow slowly and postoperative tumor remnants can remain stable for years. Because of this variability in tumor growth, the therapeutic decision is difficult if there is a postoperative remnant. No precise guidelines can be established. We suggest that non-functional pituitary adenomas should be considered separately, according to the histological type. This classification is essential for improving knowledge and specifying indications for radiotherapy.