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Pituitary adenoma with rich folliculo‐stellate cells and mucin‐producing epithelia arising in a 2‐year‐old girl
Author(s) -
Min Hye Sook,
Lee Seung June,
Kim SeungKi,
Park SungHye
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
pathology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.73
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1440-1827
pISSN - 1320-5463
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1827.2007.02145.x
Subject(s) - mucin , pathology , pituitary adenoma , glial fibrillary acidic protein , adenoma , prolactin , adrenocorticotropic hormone , biology , medicine , endocrinology , immunohistochemistry , hormone
Pituitary adenoma is a rare neoplasm in childhood, with prolactin and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)‐secreting adenomas predominating in this age group. Herein is reported a case of an ACTH‐producing macroadenoma with an unusual histology that occurred in a 2‐year‐old girl. Because of the patient's age and the macroadenoma's suprasellar location and large size (up to 4 cm in diameter), radical surgery was performed under the suspicion of craniopharyngioma or germ‐cell tumor. Pathologically, it was a unique pituitary adenoma composed of monotonous ACTH‐producing cells, smaller folliculo‐stellate cells (FSC), and mucin‐producing cells. The FSC, non‐hormone‐secreting pituitary cells of uncertain function, were confirmed by their S‐100 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein and cytokeratin expression immunoprofiles. The abrupt transition between the prominent gland‐forming mucin‐producing epithelia and the FSC component suggested that the mucin‐producing epithelia might be derived from the FSC. This association might represent so‐called ‘retrodifferentiation’ of adenoma cells to the FSC and the precursor cells of Rathke's pouch.