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Structure, Function, and Morphology in the Classification of Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors: the Importance of Routine Analysis of Pituitary Transcription Factors

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Abstract

The traditional approach to the diagnosis of primary adenohypophyseal cell proliferations uses hormone immunohistochemistry to classify pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs). The routine application of immunolocalization of pituitary transcription factors (SF1, PIT1, TPIT, ERα, and recently GATA3) along with adenohypophyseal hormones has taught us critical lessons that are discussed in this communication. We point out that appropriate patient care requires accurate diagnosis and is critical in the era of precision medicine. A misdiagnosis can result in far greater health care costs than the cost of accurate tumor classification and may have other unintended consequences. We provide additional insights about confusing findings in genomic studies, emphasizing that high-quality pathology is essential for strong science and translational research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, 11th floor, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada

    Ozgur Mete

  2. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Ozgur Mete

  3. Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA

    Sylvia L. Asa

  4. Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Sylvia L. Asa

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  1. Ozgur Mete
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  2. Sylvia L. Asa
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Correspondence to Ozgur Mete or Sylvia L. Asa.

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Mete, O., Asa, S.L. Structure, Function, and Morphology in the Classification of Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors: the Importance of Routine Analysis of Pituitary Transcription Factors. Endocr Pathol 31, 330–336 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12022-020-09646-x

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