Abstract
WHO classification of pituitary adenomas was revised in 2017. The two major and significant changes are discussed. (1) The new classification focuses on adenohypophysial-cell lineage for the designation of adenomas, and thus, assessment of pituitary transcription factors is recommended. Its appropriate use has a complementary role in obtaining an accurate diagnosis, particularly in hormone-negative adenomas. Subclassification of nonfunctioning adenomas was revised accordingly and, consequently, null cell adenomas became quite rare. (2) “Atypical adenoma”, a previous category, was eliminated due to the poor reproducibility and predictive value. Assessment of tumor proliferation marker and other clinical parameters such as invasion are recommended to predict aggressiveness. “High-risk adenomas” are those with rapid growth, radiological invasion, and a high Ki-67 proliferation index, whereas some special adenoma subtypes commonly show aggressive behavior.
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Nishioka, H., Inoshita, N. New WHO classification of pituitary adenomas (4th edition): assessment of pituitary transcription factors and the prognostic histological factors. Brain Tumor Pathol 35, 57–61 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10014-017-0307-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10014-017-0307-7