Large mitochondria in a pituitary adenoma with hyperprolactinemia.
A 27-year-old woman with amenorrhea following cessation of birth control pills was found to have a pituitary tumor which was secreting large amounts of prolactin. Many tumor cells had large mitochondria, the diameter of which ranged between 7 and 12 mu. Some tumor cells also displayed oncocytic transformation, and a few were definite oncocytes. The pathogenesis of mitochondrial swelling in pituitary tumors is discussed and the possible roles of prolonged intake of steroids and/or ischemia are suggested.
D000236:Adenoma / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000328:Adult; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*
D011388:Prolactin