Pituitary adenomas in Cushing's disease. A histologic, ultrastructural, and immunocytochemical study.
Twenty-two pituitary adenomas in Cushing's disease were removed by transsphenoidal surgery. In six patients the pituitary tumor had become manifest following adrenalectomy (Nelson's syndrome). Sixteen tumors were microadenomas measuring from 2 to 9 mm, while two were diffuse invasive adenomas verified at postmortem examination. Light microscopy showed that the tumors were made of basophillic cells containing PAS-positive granules that stained blue with Herlant tetrachrome and lead hematoxylin. Immunocytochemical studies showed that the granules stained positively with antiserum to adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) or to beta-lipotropic hormone (beta-LPH) and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex. Electron microscopic study of the tumor cells showed ACTH and beta-LPH containing granules varying in size, shape, and amount. Perinuclear bundles of 70 A microfilaments constituted a specific ultrastructural finding.
D000236:Adenoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D008083:beta-Lipotropin
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D008083:beta-Lipotropin