title: Pathology of GH-producing pituitary adenomas and GH cell hyperplasia of the pituitary.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Histologic, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies have provided conclusive evidence that a marked diversity exists between tumors which secrete growth hormone (GH) in excess. GH cell hyperplasia can also be associated with acromegaly in patients with extrapituitary GH-releasing hormone secreting tumors or in familial pituitary tumor syndromes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was performed for information regarding pathology, GH-producing tumors and acromegaly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This review summarizes the current knowledge on the morphology of GH-producing and silent GH adenomas, as well as GH hyperplasia of the pituitary.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The importance of morphologic classification and identification of different subgroups of patients with GH-producing adenomas and their impact on clinical management is discussed.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Pablo Tobon Uribe and Clinica Medellin, Medellin, Colombia. lvsyro@une.net.co.
authors: Luis V
authors: LV
authors: Syro
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Rotondo
authors: Laboratorio de Patologia y Citologia Rodrigo Restrepo. Department of Pathology, Clinica Las Americas, Universidad CES, Medellin, Colombia.
authors: Carlos A
authors: CA
authors: Serna
authors: Division of Neuro-oncology, Instituto de Cancerologia, Clinica Las Americas, Medellin, Colombia.
authors: Leon D
authors: LD
authors: Ortiz
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Kalman
authors: K
authors: Kovacs
mesh_terms: D000172:Acromegaly / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D013006:Growth Hormone
keywords: Acromegaly; Classification; Diagnosis; Immunohistochemistry; Pathology; Pituitary neoplasms