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Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Demographic differences in incidence for pituitary adenoma
Bradley D McDowell1, Robert B Wallace, Ryan M Carnahan
1Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA. bradley-mcdowell@uiowa.edu
Pituitary
|September 3, 2010
Summary
Pituitary adenoma incidence increases with age, with differing rates between sexes and higher rates in American Blacks. Males are diagnosed with larger tumors, possibly due to delayed detection.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Epidemiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Pituitary adenoma incidence estimates vary, indicating potential influences from risk factors and surveillance levels.
- Understanding the epidemiology of pituitary adenomas is crucial for public health and clinical management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and demographic patterns of pituitary adenomas in the United States.
- To identify variations in incidence based on age, sex, and race/ethnicity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 17 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Programs in the US.
- Analyzed a cohort of 8,276 pituitary adenoma cases diagnosed between 2004 and 2007.
Main Results:
- Incidence rates generally increased with age.
- Females showed higher incidence in early life, while males had higher rates in later life.
- American Blacks exhibited higher incidence rates compared to other ethnic groups.
- Males were diagnosed with larger tumors on average than females, suggesting potential diagnostic delays.
Conclusions:
- Age, sex, and race are significant demographic factors influencing pituitary adenoma incidence.
- Disparities in diagnosis timing and potential racial diagnostic differences warrant further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
The Pituitary Gland
The pituitary is a small endocrine organ in the sphenoid bone under the hypothalamus. Primarily, the pituitary in adults has two distinct anatomical and functional regions— the anterior and posterior lobes. During human fetal development, a third pituitary gland region called the pars intermedia atrophies and disappears. However, some of its cells migrate and exist adjacent to the anterior pituitary in adults.
Prevalence and Incidence
In statistical epidemiology and health sciences, two essential metrics—prevalence and incidence—are fundamental for understanding disease dynamics within a population. These measures enable public health officials, epidemiologists, and researchers to assess the burden of diseases, allocate resources effectively, and design impactful public health policies and interventions.
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health condition at a...
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health condition at a...