Clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas

Abstract

Clinically non functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) include all pituitary adenomas that are not hormonally active. They are not associated with clinical syndromes such as amenorrhea-galactorrhea (prolactinomas), acromegaly, Cushing's disease or hyperthyroidism (TSH-secreting adenomas) and are therefore usually diagnosed by signs and symptoms related to a mass effect (headache, visual impairment, sometimes pituitary apoplexy), but also incidentally. Biochemical work up often documents several pituitary insufficiencies. In histopathology, the majority of NFPAs are gonadotroph. In the absence of an established medical therapy, surgery is the mainstay of treatment, unless contraindicated or in particular situations (e.g. small incidentalomas, distance from optic pathways). Resection, generally via a trans-sphenoidal approach (with the help of an endoscope), should be performed by a neurosurgeon with extensive experience in pituitary surgery, in order to maximize the chances of complete resection and to minimize complications. If a tumor remnant persists, watchful waiting is preferred to routine radiotherapy, as long as the tumor residue does not grow and is distant from the optic pathways. NFPA can sometimes recur even after complete resection, but predicting the individual risk of tumor remnant progression is difficult. Postoperative irradiation is only considered in case of residual tumor growth or relapse, due to its potential side effects.

Keywords: Gonadotroph adenomas; Mass effect; Neurosurgery; Non functioning pituitary adenomas; Pituitary incidentalomas; Radiotherapy.