Endocrine Pathology

, 2:193 | Cite as

Folliculostellate cells in pituitary adenomas: Studies of hormonal profile and tumor vascularity

  • Anne M. McNicol
Original Article
  • 15 Downloads

Abstract

The hormonal immunoreactivity and vascularity of pituitary adenomas containing folliculostellate (FS) cells have been compared with those of tumors in which such cells were not identified. FS cells were present in variable numbers in 36 of 92 tumors. Adenomas immunoreactive for growth hormone (GH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), or prolactin (PRL) contained FS cells in 40–50% of cases. Those immunoreactive for glycoprotein hormones and alphasubunit contained FS cells in 67–85% of cases, a statistically significant correlation. When alpha-subunit was also present in GH-, GH/PRL-, and ACTH-immunoreactive tumors, a higher proportion contained FS cells (57–91%). These data suggest a correlation between the presence of FS cells and glycoprotein immunoreactivity in pituitary adenomas. Vascular channels identified by the binding of the lectinUlex europaeus were quantified in the two types of tumors. Those containing FS cells were not more vascular than those without FS cells, which suggests that FS cells do not play a significant role in the regulation of intratumoraf vascularization in human pituitary adenomas.

Keywords

Adenoma Growth Hormone Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Pituitary Adenoma Hormonal Profile 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Humana Press Inc. 1991

Authors and Affiliations

  • Anne M. McNicol
    • 1
  1. 1.University Department of PathologyRoyal InfirmaryGlasgowScotland

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