Null cell adenoma of the pituitary with features of plurihormonality and plurimorphous differentiation.
The case of a 35-year-old man with pituitary macroadenoma who was complaining of reduced sexual activity is presented. Histologic examination showed a chromophobic adenoma corresponding mainly to a null cell adenoma at the ultrastructural level. Focal plurihormonality and plurimorphous differentiation of adenoma cells were demonstrated by immunohistochemical and electron-microscopic studies. It is suggested that adenomatous null cells represent pluripotent progenitor cells capable of transforming to different hormone-producing cell types. The factors accounting for differentiating to various cell populations have yet to be elucidated.
Kontogeorgos
G
G
Department of Pathology, St Michael's Hospital, Canada.
Horvath
E
E
Kovacs
K
K
Killinger
D W
DW
Smyth
H S
HS
D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000328:Adult; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D010907:Pituitary Hormones