Pituitary corticotroph macrotumors. Diagnosis and treatment

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1997 Mar;27(2):287-97. doi: 10.1016/s0195-5616(97)50032-5.

Abstract

Pituitary corticotroph macrotumors occur in 10% to 50% of dogs with PDH. Clinical signs may be only those of hypercortisolism or may include neurologic signs such as stupor, inappetance, circling, or pacing. Currently, CT and MRI are the only tests that can confirm the presence of a pituitary macrotumor in these patients. Results of endocrine testing are not significantly different from those of dogs with a microtumor. When a macroscopic pituitary tumor is identified in a dog with neurologic signs, or if a larger tumor is found in a dog even in the absence of neurologic signs, radiation therapy is currently the treatment of choice. Unfortunately, success rates with treatment are variable. A better response may be seen if the tumor is smaller and neurologic signs are minimal or absent at the time of treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / diagnosis
  • Adenoma / therapy
  • Adenoma / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Bromocriptine / therapeutic use
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Dog Diseases / pathology
  • Dog Diseases / therapy*
  • Dogs
  • Dopamine Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Mitotane / therapeutic use
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Octreotide / therapeutic use
  • Pituitary Gland, Anterior / pathology*
  • Pituitary Gland, Anterior / radiation effects
  • Pituitary Gland, Anterior / surgery
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / therapy
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Radiotherapy / methods
  • Radiotherapy / veterinary
  • Somatostatin / analogs & derivatives

Substances

  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
  • Bromocriptine
  • Somatostatin
  • Mitotane
  • Octreotide