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Pathology and Molecular Biology of the Pituitary Region

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Atlas of Sellar and Parasellar Lesions

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Abstract

Tumors of the pituitary gland and sellar region represent approximately 10–15 % of all brain tumors. Numerous types of tumors may involve the sellar region, reflecting its complex anatomy. Table 4.1 lists the most frequent tumors arising in the pituitary and sellar region. By far the most common of these are pituitary adenomas, benign epithelial tumors derived from cells of the adenohypophysis. In fact, pituitary adenomas represent the third most common primary intracranial tumor in neurosurgical practice, outnumbered only by gliomas and meningiomas. Pituitary adenomas predominantly affect women between the third and sixth decades, but no age group is spared. Adenomas are uncommon in the pediatric population, and most tumors of childhood are clinically functioning adenomas that are thought to be more aggressive. Rates for pituitary tumors in the United States are slightly higher among African Americans than Caucasians. Incidental adenomas can be found in nearly 10 % of autopsied patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1215 Lee Street, Room 3060–HEP, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA

    M. Beatriz S. Lopes MD, PhD

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  1. M. Beatriz S. Lopes MD, PhD
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Correspondence to M. Beatriz S. Lopes MD, PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Southern California, LOS ANGELES, California, USA

    Gabriel Zada

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, USA

    M. Beatriz S. Lopes

  3. Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA

    Srinivasan Mukundan Jr.

  4. Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA

    Edward R. Laws Jr.

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Lopes, M.B.S. (2016). Pathology and Molecular Biology of the Pituitary Region. In: Zada, G., Lopes, M., Mukundan Jr., S., Laws Jr., E. (eds) Atlas of Sellar and Parasellar Lesions. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22855-6_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22855-6_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-22854-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-22855-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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