Clinical, pathologic, and imaging characteristics of pituitary null cell adenomas as defined according to the 2017 World Health Organization criteria: a case series from two pituitary centers

Joao Paulo Almeida, Corbin C. Stephens, Jennifer M. Eschbacher, Michelle M. Felicella, Kevin C.J. Yuen, William L. White, Michael A. Mooney, Anne Laure Bernat, Ozgur Mete, Gelareh Zadeh, Fred Gentili, Andrew S. Little

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The 2017 World Health Organization classification of pituitary tumors redefined pituitary null cell adenomas (NCAs) by restricting this diagnostic category to pituitary tumors that are negative for pituitary transcription factors and adenohypophyseal hormones. The clinical behavior of this redefined entity has not been widely studied, and this is a major shortcoming of the classification. This study evaluated the imaging and clinical features of NCAs from two pituitary centers and compared them with those of gonadotroph adenomas (GAs). Methods: Imaging, pathologic, and clinical characteristics of NCAs and GAs were retrospectively reviewed. Tumor immunohistochemistry was performed to confirm absence of adenohypophyseal hormones and pituitary transcription factor expression. Results: Thirty-one NCAs were compared with 38 GAs. NCAs were more likely to invade the cavernous sinus (15/31 [48%] vs. 5/38 [13%], P =.003) and had a higher proliferative index (i.e., MIB-1 > 3%, 11/31 [35%] vs. 5/38 [13%], P =.04). Gross total resection was less likely in the NCA group (19/31 [61%] vs. 33/38 [87], P =.02). Progression-free survival was worse in the NCA cohort (5-year progression-free survival, 0.70 vs. 1.00; P =.011, by log-rank test). Conclusions: Compared with GAs, NCAs are more invasive at the time of presentation and have a more aggressive clinical course. This study provides evidence that NCAs represent a distinct clinicopathologic entity with behavior that differs adversely from that of GAs. This may inform clinical decision-making, including frequency of postoperative tumor surveillance and timing of adjunctive treatments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)514-519
Number of pages6
JournalPituitary
Volume22
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Gonadotroph adenoma
  • Gonadotroph tumors
  • Null cell adenoma
  • Null cell pituitary tumor pituitary

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

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