Concomitant diseases in acromegaly and endocrine inactive pituitary adenomas. A morphological study of 65 cases
Caselitz, J.; Saeger, W.; Vater, W.
Zentralblatt für Allgemeine Pathologie U. Pathologische Anatomie 124(1-2): 20-30
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-4030 PMID: 6251665 Document Number: 162322
The autopsies of the last 27 yr were re-investigated. All cases with an acidophilic adenoma or an endocrine inactive adenoma of the pituitary and all cases with a malignant tumor of another site were selected. For comparative reasons, operated pituitary adenomas were studied as well. In the collection of endocrine inactive adenomas, men were less predominant than in the collection of acromegalies. The mean age of the patients with inactive adenomas and acidophilic adenomas was 62 yr and 56 yr, respectively. The visceromegaly was developed in different degrees, heart and liver being regularly enlarged in the group of the acromegalies. In acromegaly, hyperplastic changes were observed concerning the thyroid gland, the parathyroid glands and the adrenals. A higher incidence of malignant tumors in acromegaly could not be verified when compared with endocrine inactive adenomas and unselected cases. Central dysregulation was the most important cause of death in both pituitary adenomas followed by cardiovascular complications.