INVASIV GEWACHSENES BASOPHILES ADENOM DES HYPOPHYSENVORDERLAPPENS BEI CUSHING-SYNDROM

Abstract

ABSTRACT A case report is presented of a female patient with an invasive basophil adenoma of the anterior pituitary gland and with Cushing's syndrome. Following a review of the literature of Cushing's syndrome with expanding and invasive pituitary tumours with and without metastases we have divided these tumours into three groups: Pituitary tumours, which arise with no surgical treatment of the adrenals. Tumours of category 1, the growth of which is accelerated following adrenalectomy. Tumours whose growth is accelerated following adrenalectomy, but which are recognized clinically only after surgical treatment of the adrenals. Most of these tumours are now considered to be »hyperplasiogenic« growths, which continue to remain under the influence of hypothalamic factors. Primary autonomous, ACTH-secreting tumours are on the contrary seldom seen. Histological criteria are insufficient to differentiate between autonomous and regulated pituitary ACTH-producing tumours. It is assumed that this differentiation may be only possible by means of function-tests.