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Three-dimensional Alginate-bead Culture of Human Pituitary Adenoma Cells
Published on: February 18, 2016
Signet ring-like cells in pituitary adenoma
Kemal Deniz1, Fatih Tanriverdi, Ahmet Selçuklu
1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, 38039 Kayseri, Turkey. kdeniz@erciyes.edu.tr
Pathology, Research and Practice
|January 22, 2008
Summary
A rare non-functioning pituitary adenoma case in a woman with fertility issues is presented. Histology revealed unique signet ring-like cells, challenging diagnosis but aiding understanding of this rare tumor.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Pituitary adenomas are common tumors, but non-functioning variants present diagnostic challenges.
- Fertility problems can sometimes be associated with pituitary gland dysfunction.
Observation:
- A 35-year-old woman with a history of infertility, treated with clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin, presented with a non-functioning pituitary adenoma.
- Histopathological examination revealed a mixed tumor population: areas of signet ring-like cells alongside conventional round-polygonal neoplastic cells.
Findings:
- Both cell populations within the adenoma demonstrated strong positive immunoreactivity for chromogranin and synaptophysin.
- The presence of signet ring-like cells is an unusual feature in pituitary adenomas.
Implications:
- This case highlights the diverse histopathological presentations of non-functioning pituitary adenomas.
- Recognizing rare cell morphologies is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate patient management.
- Further research into the origins and behavior of these specific tumor subtypes is warranted.
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