Pituitary tumours in African and Indian patients

Over a five year period 55 patients with pituitary tumours (35 African and 20 Indian patients) were seen at the Endocrine Unit, King Edward VIII Hospital. Of the 33 patients with secretory tumours 20 had GH-secreting tumours (acromegaly), 8 prolactinomas and 5 ACTH-producing tumours (Cushing's disease); in addition 4 of the patients with acromegaly probably had combined GH and prolactin secreting tumours. The group with non-secretory tumours comprised 13 patients with craniopharyngioma, 7 with chromophobe adenomas and 2 patients with parasellar tumours. The majority of patients with non-secretory tumours were of African descent. Hormonal deficiencies present in the patients tested, were as follows: GH deficiency 73.3%; hypocorticolism 66.7%; hypogonadism 35.9% and hypothyroidism 14%. It thus appears that the patients in the present study differ from populations studied elsewhere with respect to the relative frequency of the various secretory tumours and the prevalence of certain hormonal deficiencies.