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Recurrent non-functioning pituitary adenomas: a review on the new pathological classification, management guidelines and treatment options

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Abstract

At least 50% of surgically resected non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) recur. Either early or late adjuvant radiotherapy is highly efficacious in controlling recurrent NFPA but associates potentially burdensome complications like hypopituitarism, vascular complications or secondary neoplasm. Reoperation is indicated in bulky tumor rests compressing the optic pathway. To date, no standardized medical therapy is available for recurrent NFPA although cabergoline and temozolomide show promising results. Guidelines on the management of recurrent NFPAs are now available. The new 2017 WHO pituitary tumor classification, based on immunohistochemistry and transcription factor assessment, identifies a group of aggressive NFPA variants that may benefit from earlier adjuvant therapy. Nevertheless, NFPA patients exhibit a reduced overall life expectancy largely due to hypopituitarism and treatment-related morbidity. The management of recurrent NFPA benefits from a multidisciplinary teamwork of surgeons, endocrinologists, radiation oncologists, ophthalmologists, pathologists and neuro-radiologists in order to provide individualized therapy and anticipate deterioration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Servicio de Neurocirugía, Hospital Universitario de Burgos, Avda Islas Baleares 3, 09006, Burgos, Spain

    P. D. Delgado-López

  2. Servicio de Endocrinología Y Nutrición, Hospital Universitario de Burgos, Burgos, Spain

    J. Pi-Barrio

  3. Servicio de Oncología Radioterápica, Hospital Universitario de Burgos, Burgos, Spain

    M. T. Dueñas-Polo

  4. Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Universitario de Burgos, Burgos, Spain

    M. Pascual-Llorente

  5. Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario de Burgos, Burgos, Spain

    M. C. Gordón-Bolaños

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Delgado-López, P.D., Pi-Barrio, J., Dueñas-Polo, M.T. et al. Recurrent non-functioning pituitary adenomas: a review on the new pathological classification, management guidelines and treatment options. Clin Transl Oncol 20, 1233–1245 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-018-1868-6

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