Complications of transsphenoidal surgery in patients with pituitary adenoma: experience at a single centre

Summary Objective. This paper reports the complications of transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas in a series of 1240 consecutive patients operated at our Institute between 1990 and 2004 (first operations) and indicate the clinical characteristics of patients which affected surgical morbidity and mortality. Methods. According to tumour type, there were 420 (33.9%) non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA), 349 (28.1%) GH-secreting, 288 (23.2%) ACTH-secreting, 155 (12.5%) prolactin (PRL)-secreting, and 28 (2.3%) TSH-secreting adenomas. The mean age of patients was 43.7 ± 0.4 yr and 122 patients (9.9%) were 65 yr or older; the female/male ratio was 1.5/1. There were 370 (29.8%) microadenomas and 870 (70.2%) macroadenomas of which 54 (4.4%) were giant adenomas. Results. The series mortality was 0.2%, the medical morbidity 1.9%, and the surgical morbidity 3.5%. Medical complications were significantly more frequent in patients older than 65 yr (4.9 vs. 1.4%; p = 0.009) and in patients with giant adenomas (5.6 vs. 1.6%; p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that both variables were independently associated with a higher morbidity rate. The surgical morbidity was increased in giant adenomas (15 vs. 3%; p = 0.0001), in NFPA (6.2 vs. 2.1% in secreting adenomas; p = 0.0002) and in patients older than 65 yr (6.6 vs. 3.1%; p = 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that only giant size was independently associated with an increased surgical morbidity rate. Conclusions. In our experience, the size of the adenoma was a risk factor for medical and surgery related complications and age over 65 yr for medical complications alone.     

同侧肾脏同时发生透明细胞型与乳头状肾细胞癌

目的探讨同侧肾脏发病并且相对独立的透明细胞型和肾乳头状细胞癌的临床病理特点及免疫表型,提高对该肿瘤的认识和诊断水平。方法本研究回顾了2例病理诊断为透明细胞型合并肾乳头状细胞癌的临床资料,通过光镜和免疫组织化学染色,针对肾细胞癌相关蛋白标志物[包括 Vimentin、CD10、CK（AE1/AE3）、CK7、CK8/18、PAX2、PAX8、CAⅨ、AMACR]进行了观察和分析。结果2例患者为男性,年龄分别为70、63岁。2例患者的两处独立肿瘤均位于左侧肾脏,镜下观察均可见两处独立肿瘤,肿瘤间隔有正常肾脏组织,分别为乳头状肾细胞癌及透明细胞型肾细胞癌,且免疫组化显示2例患者肿瘤的表型一致。结论单侧肾脏肾透明细胞癌合并肾乳头状细胞癌是一种少见的临床现象,这种现象的存在以及类似的免疫组化表型提示透明细胞型肾细胞癌和乳头状肾细胞癌在发生过程中可能存在着内部的联系。     

结石肾并肾癌的诊断和治疗

目的 探讨结石肾合并肾癌的诊断与治疗策略.方法 回顾分析9例结石肾合并肾癌患者的病例资料及诊治经过.结果 9例患者中2例术前检查已发现结石肾合并肾占位病变行根治性肾切除;另7例中4例因结石手术术中发现可疑病灶行快速冰冻切片病检证实为肾细胞癌而行根治性肾切除,3例因结石肾积水合并感染形成脓肾行患肾切除,术后病理证实为肾癌...     

垂体功能性促性腺激素腺瘤临床病例分析

目的研究分析垂体功能性促性腺激素腺瘤女性患者的临床特征,以期达到早期诊断及治疗的目的。方法回顾性分析我院收治的5例垂体功能性促性腺激素腺瘤女性患者的临床特点及诊治经过。结果 5例患者均为生育年龄女性,平均年龄38.8岁,临床表现为月经紊乱、溢乳、头痛和视野缺损。盆腔超声发现双侧卵巢增大,内见多房囊性无回声。性激素检查雌激素4 377.65～12 973.45pmol/L,均值7 800.66pmol/L,而FSH和/或LH并未被异常升高的雌激素负反馈抑制,泌乳素(PRL)升高至1 268.18～2 794.16nmol/L,均值1 726.95nmol/L。垂体磁共振(MRI)检查发现垂体大腺瘤样改变。5例患者均接受垂体腺瘤切除术,病理切片免疫组化检查提示FSH/LH阳性,术后随访至今(3～5年)无肿瘤复发迹象。结论当绝经前女性出现月经紊乱、溢乳、头痛、视野缺损、反复发生的卵巢多房囊肿、雌激素异常升高的同时促性腺激素未被负反馈抑制时,应行垂体核磁共振检查,如发现垂体肿瘤,应考虑垂体功能性促性腺激素腺瘤的诊断。垂体瘤切除手术是首选治疗。     

Treatment of brain metastases from renal cell carcinoma with sunitinib and radiotherapy: Our experience and review of the literature

The present study reports our experience with five renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients with brain metastases treated with sunitinib and radiotherapy. All patients had undergone radical nephrectomy. Before treatment with sunitinib, radiotherapy for brain metastases, either by γ‐knife surgery or whole brain radiation, was carried out. After treatment with sunitinib, shrinkage of brain metastases was achieved in all patients with complete response, partial response and stable disease in two, one and two patients, respectively. Although progression of brain metastases occurred in four of the five patients, additional γ‐knife surgery was effective in three patients. Over a 12.5‐month follow up, four patients, including three who maintained their best response, remained alive. The remaining one patient died of disease progression. Despite the observation of several adverse events after treatment with sunitinib, there was no intracerebral hemorrhage in any patient. These findings suggest that sunitinib combined with radiation therapy can be safely carried out in RCC patients with brain metastases and provides a favorable prognosis in these cases. However, considering their frequent progression, it would be important to carry out careful follow up for these patients by focusing on the control of brain metastases.     

Intradural metastatic spinal cord compression from ACTH-secreting pituitary carcinoma

Summary. Pituitary carcinomas are uncommon and intradural metastatic spread to the spine is rarer still. We describe a 27-year old man with metastatic spinal cord compression from an adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) cell pituitary carcinoma, 16 years following the initial presentation. He had three previous resections of the pituitary tumour and post-operative radiotherapy. The intradural, extramedullary spinal metastases causing thoracic and lumbar cord compression were excised, with neurological improvement.Spinal metastases in pituitary carcinoma are uncommon, but aggressive surgical resection of the spinal metastases produces good symptomatic relief.     

Adrenal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma: Significance of adrenalectomy

BACKGROUND: The present study examined adrenal metastasis resulting from renal cell carcinoma (RCC), with the aim of assessing the need for routine ipsilateral adrenalectomy during radical nephrectomy. METHODS: Ipsilateral and contralateral adrenal metastases were investigated in 256 patients with RCC who had undergone radical nephrectomy from 1977 to 1996 at the Tohoku University School of Medicine. RESULTS: Twelve of the 256 patients (4.7%) had adrenal metastasis. Ten of these 12 patients had progressed to disseminated disease with very poor prognosis. Two patients who had solitary adrenal metastases remained disease-free for 21 and 7 years. Four patients showed metastases to the contralateral adrenal gland. Adrenal metastases in seven of 12 patients were identified by pre- or postoperative computed tomography (CT), and in another five macroscopically during surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenalectomy was regarded as a possible curative treatment for patients with solitary adrenal metastasis. However, the incidence of this kind of metastasis was minimal and contralateral adrenal metastases may occur in RCC cases. We therefore believe that adrenalectomy should only be performed if radiographic evidence reveals metastases in the adrenal gland or if gross disease is present at the time of nephrectomy.     

Giant pituitary adenoma

The clinical, radiologic, and autopsy findings of an unusually large pituitary adenoma are described. A review of the literature revealed such large tumors to be quite rare.     

Laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To critically analyse the results of laparoscopic cytoreductive surgery for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), as phase III evidence supports cytoreductive nephrectomy before immunotherapy, and there is an overall shift towards minimally invasive renal surgery for this disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Since October 2000, 22 patients were treated by laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic RCC (group 1). All patients had radiological evidence of metastatic disease, with biopsy confirmation in 10. To put the results into perspective, 25 consecutive contemporary patients with large organ-confined nonmetastatic RCC (>7 cm, clinical stage T2) undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (group 2) were compared retrospectively. The baseline demographics were comparable between the groups. RESULTS: The mean tumour size was 8 cm in group 1 and 9.6 cm in group 2 (P = 0.07). Variables during and after surgery were comparable between the groups, with a mean operative duration of 3.1 vs 3.2 h (P = 0.82), blood loss of 285 vs 308 mL (P = 0.79), complications in two vs eight (P = 0.08), morphine sulphate equivalent requirements of 51.7 vs 44.1 mg (P = 0.1) and a median length of hospital stay of 1.7 vs 1.6 days (P = 0.68). In group 1 the median (range) time to immunotherapy was 35 (13-136) days. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy is safe and effective in selected patients. Currently the procedure is offered to candidates eligible for immunotherapy and with tumours of < or = 15 cm, and no evidence of adjacent organ invasion or inferior vena caval thrombus. Significant perihilar adenopathy and numerous parasitic vessels can increase the complexity of the surgery. Adequate laparoscopic experience is necessary.     

Intraventricular haemorrhage from a renal cell carcinoma pituitary metastasis

Summary Symptomatic pituitary metastasis and intraventricular haemorrhage from a cerebral metastasis are exceptional events in the natural history of a renal cell carcinoma. We report the first case of a metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the pituitary gland presenting with intraventricular haemorrhage. The origin of intraventricular haemorrhage and its association with renal cell carcinoma pituitary metastasis are discussed.     

经鼻中隔蝶窦入路切除垂体腺瘤

目的 探索微创切除垂体腺瘤的手术方法。方法 对52例垂体腺瘤采用经鼻中隔蝶窦入路切除术。结果 此种术式减少了手术创伤，缩短了手术路径，且不影响美观。结论 经鼻中隔蝶窦切除垂体腺瘤安全有效，创伤小。是值得选择的一种手术方法。     

Familial bilateral acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid synchronous with pituitary adenoma: case report

BACKGROUND: Acinic cell carcinoma is a common neoplasm of the salivary glands that occurs predominately in the parotid. Only one case of a familial recurrence of such a neoplasm and 16 cases of bilateral tumors have been reported. METHODS: History files and histologic reports of a patient with bilateral multifocal acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid and a synchronous pituitary adenoma, and of the patient's sister and his father, also treated for parotid tumours, were retrieved. RESULTS: There was one recurrence of acinic cell carcinoma in the family. A pituitary tumor was a chromophobe gonotrophic adenoma. CONCLUSIONS: This is the 17th case of bilateral acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland and the second reported case with a familial recurrence. It is the first with a synchronous pituitary adenoma.     

Fibrosarcoma complicating irradiated pituitary adenoma

Eight years after radiation therapy (5000 rads of 60Co) for a pituitary adenoma, a patient developed a sellar fibrosarcoma. The tumor had an aggressive growth pattern: it infiltrated the optic nerve, sphenoidal air sinus, hypothalamus, and both cavernous sinuses, where compression of the left internal carotid artery resulted in a massive hemispheric infarction. Surgery was ineffective in arresting rapid growth of the lesion; death occurring 5 months after onset of symptoms.     

Prognostic factors for cases with metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the era of targeted medicine

Prognostic factors in the setting of treated metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) can theoretically predict drug response, progression-free survival or overall survival. These factors are potentially useful for informing patients and for tailoring medical treatment according to risk assessment. Prognostic factors were well defined in the era of immunotherapy. Since 2006, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and anti-angiogenic drugs have revolutionized the treatment of mRCC by improving progression-free survival and overall survival. Physicians now need new predictive tools adapted to targeted therapies. The aim of our study was to review the current knowledge about prognostic factors in mRCC by focusing on anatomical, clinical, biological, histological, radiological and molecular parameters. The most recent integrated prognostic models will be reviewed as well.     

Vanishing pituitary mass revealed by timely magnetic resonance imaging: two cases of spontaneous resolution of nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma

Summary Spontaneous necrosis of a pituitary adenoma is not rare but represents a very unlikely way of curing a nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma. We report two cases of nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma, one of them with a family history of pituitary adenoma, in whom spontaneous complete resolution occurred through the necrosis of previously well-delineated adenoma. Sequential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans provided clear evidence of the event, resulting in an empty sella. In the present cases, the pituitary necrosis was entirely asymptomatic with the exception of an initial atypical headache in one case, and cured the patients as well as a surgical procedure would have done. This exceptional curative process, however, should certainly not be relied on and does not rule out the possibility of recurrence.     

Apoplexy accompanying pituitary adenoma as a complication of preoperative anterior pituitary function tests

Summary Pituitary apoplexy occurs as a very rare complication of the pituitary function test. We have experienced two cases of pituitary apoplexy following anterior pituitary function tests for preoperative assessment: a triple bolus test and a TRH test. To elucidate such a rare complication, we outline our two cases and review 28 cases from the literature. The clinical characteristics, etiology, pathophysiology, and diagnostic and therapeutic implications are also discussed. The combined data suggest that pituitary function tests have the potential to precipitate pituitary apoplexy, and its manifestations range from a clinically benign event to a catastrophic presentation with permanent neurological deficits or even death, although most patients may fortunately have a good outcome. We suggest that the pituitary function test should not be done as a routine test, and when such a test is planned, the patient should be observed with caution for any symptomatic changes for at least 2 hours following the test for appropriate treatment. Further, MRI, especially enhanced studies, may provide an earlier diagnosis of the pituitary apoplexy since CT scan images often fail to demonstrate either density changes or obvious enlargement of the pituitary adenoma at the acute stage.     

Dendritic cell immunotherapy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: University of Tokyo experience

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells and induce host antitumor immunity through the T-cell response. A clinical study of immunotherapy using cultured DC loaded with tumor antigen, for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was performed. METHODS: Dendritic cells were generated by culturing monocytes from peripheral blood for 7 days in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4. On day 6 the DC were pulsed with lysate from autologous tumor as the antigen and with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) as immunomodulator. The patients were given four doses of lysate-pulsed DC by intradermal injection with a 2-week interval between doses. Clinical effect and immune response were, respectively, evaluated by radiological examination and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) test. RESULTS: Three patients were enrolled and the immunotherapy was well tolerated without significant toxicity. The vaccination induced a positive DTH reaction to tumor lysate in two patients and to KLH in all patients. Clinical responses consisted of one case of no change and two cases of progression of disease. However, we did not see a significant reduction of tumor volume in any case. CONCLUSION: Dendritic cell vaccination can safely induce an immunological response against RCC. Further trials are needed to fully evaluate its efficacy.