Pathological changes after radiotherapy for primary pituitary carcinoma: a case report

J Neurooncol. 2005 Nov;75(2):209-14. doi: 10.1007/s11060-005-2887-z.

Abstract

Pituitary carcinomas are extremely rare. The definition, diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis are controversial. So far, to our knowledge, there has been no report regarding pathological changes after radiotherapy for primary pituitary carcinoma. We reported a single case of a presumed prolactin staining pituitary carcinoma. We defined carcinoma by premorbid intracranial dissemination of the tumor. There were no proven extracranial metastases. The tumor was silent on PET scanning. The patient received external beam radiotherapy alone as primary therapy. Post-irradiation histology revealed that necrotic tissue made up approximately more than half. Tumor had viable cells. Probably approximately three-fifth of tumor cells were without alteration and approximately two-fifth were with degeneration. We confirmed that necrosis but no apoptosis were coexistent in the cells post irradiation for pituitary carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / radiotherapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Adult
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intraoperative Period
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Necrosis / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery
  • Postoperative Period
  • Prolactin / metabolism
  • Prolactinoma / metabolism*
  • Reoperation
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Prolactin