The Characteristics of Incidental Pituitary Microadenomas in 120 Korean Forensic Autopsy Cases.
10.3346/jkms.2007.22.S.S61
- Author:
Jang Hee KIM
1
;
Jung Seok SEO
;
Bong Woo LEE
;
Sang Young LEE
;
Seok Hoon JEON
;
Kyi Beom LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Pathology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. kyibeom@ajou.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Pituitary Neoplasm;
Pituitary Adenoma;
Occult Primary Neoplasm;
Autopsy, Koreans
- MeSH:
Adenoma/blood supply/epidemiology/metabolism/*pathology;
Adult;
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Autopsy;
Female;
Humans;
Immunohistochemistry;
Ki-67 Antigen/metabolism;
Korea/epidemiology;
Male;
Microcirculation/pathology;
Middle Aged;
Pituitary Hormones/metabolism;
Pituitary Neoplasms/blood supply/epidemiology/metabolism/*pathology
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2007;22(Suppl):S61-S65
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
To investigate the characteristics of incidental pituitary microadenomas, we examined 120 pituitary glands from Korean forensic autopsy cases, from which eight tumors were identified (incidence 6.7%). The average age of the affected subjects was 50 yr (range: 33-96 yr) with a female predominance. The maximum diameters of the tumors ranged from 0.4 to 5.4 mm (mean: 2.8 mm). Immunohistochemical analysis of pituitary hormones revealed three growth hormone-secreting adenomas, one prolactin-producing adenoma, one gonadotropin-producing adenoma, one plurihormonal adenoma, and two null cell adenomas. MIB-1 staining for Ki-67 antigen showed no positive expression. The microvessel density (MVD) of the pituitary microadenomas ranged from 2.3 to 11.6% (mean: 5.3%) and was significantly lower than that of nonneoplastic pituitary glands (11.9-20.1%, mean: 14.8%). Our study provides reference data on incidental pituitary microadenomas in the Korean population.