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Large mitochondria in a pituitary adenoma with hyperprolactinemia
Author(s) -
Horoupian Dikran S.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19800801)46:3<537::aid-cncr2820460319>3.0.co;2-6
Subject(s) - medicine , pituitary tumors , mitochondrion , prolactin , pituitary adenoma , amenorrhea , adenoma , pituitary gland , pituitary neoplasm , endocrinology , pathogenesis , pathology , pregnancy , hormone , biology , biochemistry , genetics
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 12ft. 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 of prolonged intake of steroids and/or ischemia are suggested. Cancer 46:537–542, 1980.