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Updated: Nov 6, 2025

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Clinicopathological Features of Growth Hormone-producing Pituitary Adenomas and Correlation With Preoperative
Iulia Florentina Burcea1,2, Valeria Nicoleta Năstase2, Anca Maria Cîmpean3,4
1"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
Background/Aim:
The histopathological variability of each type of pituitary adenoma (PA) that causes growth hormone (GH) excess influences the phenotype, radiological characteristics and therapy response of acromegaly patients. We correlated the immunohistochemical (IHC) features of GH-secreting PAs with their clinical, laboratory and imaging data.
Patients And Methods:
We included 32 patients with documented acromegaly; tumour specimens were histologically and IHC examined: anterior pituitary hormones, pituitary-specific transcription factor-1 (PIT-1), Ki-67 labelling index were evaluated.
Results:
Macroadenomas represented 93.75%. Post-surgery disease control negatively correlated with the maximum initial tumour diameter (p=0.04). Ki-67 did not predict remission. No correlation was found between GH serum levels and IHC expression (p=0.45). PIT-1 was positive in all specimens, two had a weak expression. Four were considered PIT-1 positive plurihormonal adenomas and several had unusual IHC combinations.
Conclusion:
PIT-1 accurately classifies GH-secreting PAs. The IHC classification as well as radiological dimensions and extent influence disease control, probably being the best prognosis factors.
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