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Pituitary Adenomas in Transgender Individuals?
Bette K Kleinschmidt-DeMasters1
1Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neurology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Aurora, Colorado (BKK-D).
Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
|November 27, 2019
Summary
This study investigated pituitary adenomas in transgender individuals undergoing hormone therapy. While two cases of pituitary adenomas were found, neither were prolactinomas, suggesting a low incidence in this population.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Transgender individuals often undergo long-term hormone therapy for sexual transition.
- Limited research suggests a potential predisposition to prolactinomas in this population.
Observation:
- A pathology database review identified 60 surgical and 8 cytology specimens from transgender individuals (2000-2019).
- Two pituitary adenomas were identified among the surgical specimens.
- The majority of specimens were related to gender transition procedures (e.g., mastectomies, hysterectomies).
Findings:
- Neither of the two identified pituitary adenomas were lactotroph adenomas (prolactinomas).
- One case was a mixed somatotroph/lactotroph adenoma in a transgender female on hormone therapy.
- The second case was a gonadotroph adenoma in a transgender female evaluated for hormone therapy.
Implications:
- The incidence of pituitary adenomas, particularly prolactinomas, appears low in transgender individuals.
- Pathologists should be aware of the possibility of pituitary adenomas in transgender patients.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the endocrine risks associated with gender-affirming hormone therapy.
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