This Consensus Statement from an international, multidisciplinary workshop sponsored by the Pituitary Society offers evidence-based graded consensus recommendations and key summary points for... Show moreThis Consensus Statement from an international, multidisciplinary workshop sponsored by the Pituitary Society offers evidence-based graded consensus recommendations and key summary points for clinical practice on the diagnosis and management of prolactinomas. Epidemiology and pathogenesis, clinical presentation of disordered pituitary hormone secretion, assessment of hyperprolactinaemia and biochemical evaluation, optimal use of imaging strategies and disease-related complications are addressed. In-depth discussions present the latest evidence on treatment of prolactinoma, including efficacy, adverse effects and options for withdrawal of dopamine agonist therapy, as well as indications for surgery, preoperative medical therapy and radiation therapy. Management of prolactinoma in special situations is discussed, including cystic lesions, mixed growth hormone-secreting and prolactin-secreting adenomas and giant and aggressive prolactinomas. Furthermore, considerations for pregnancy and fertility are outlined, as well as management of prolactinomas in children and adolescents, patients with an underlying psychiatric disorder, postmenopausal women, transgender individuals and patients with chronic kidney disease. The workshop concluded that, although treatment resistance is rare, there is a need for additional therapeutic options to address clinical challenges in treating these patients and a need to facilitate international registries to enable risk stratification and optimization of therapeutic strategies.This Consensus Statement, which is endorsed by the Pituitary Society, offers evidence-based graded consensus recommendations and key summary points for clinical practice on the diagnosis and management of prolactinomas. Show less
Cushing's disease requires accurate diagnosis, careful treatment selection, and long-term management to optimise patient outcomes. The Pituitary Society convened a consensus workshop comprising... Show moreCushing's disease requires accurate diagnosis, careful treatment selection, and long-term management to optimise patient outcomes. The Pituitary Society convened a consensus workshop comprising more than 50 academic researchers and clinical experts to discuss the application of recent evidence to clinical practice. In advance of the virtual meeting, data from 2015 to present about screening and diagnosis; surgery, medical, and radiation therapy; and disease-related and treatment-related complications of Cushing's disease summarised in recorded lectures were reviewed by all participants. During the meeting, concise summaries of the recorded lectures were presented, followed by small group breakout discussions. Consensus opinions from each group were collated into a draft document, which was reviewed and approved by all participants. Recommendations regarding use of laboratory tests, imaging, and treatment options are presented, along with algorithms for diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome and management of Cushing's disease. Topics considered most important to address in future research are also identified. Show less
Ho, K.; Fleseriu, M.; Kaiser, U.; Salvatori, R.; Brue, T.; Lopes, M.B.; ... ; Melmed, S. 2021
The WHO Classification of Endocrine Tumours designates pituitary neoplasms as adenomas. A proposed nomenclature change to pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) has been met with concern by some... Show moreThe WHO Classification of Endocrine Tumours designates pituitary neoplasms as adenomas. A proposed nomenclature change to pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) has been met with concern by some stakeholder groups. The Pituitary Society coordinated the Pituitary Neoplasm Nomenclature (PANOMEN) workshop to address the topic. Experts in pituitary developmental biology, pathology, neurosurgery, endocrinology, and oncology, including representatives nominated by the Endocrine Society, European Society of Endocrinology, European Neuroendocrine Association, Growth Hormone Research Society, and International Society of Pituitary Surgeons. Clinical epidemiology, disease phenotype, management, and prognosis of pituitary adenomas differ from that of most NETs. The vast majority of pituitary adenomas are benign and do not adversely impact life expectancy. A nomenclature change to PitNET does not address the main challenge of prognostic prediction, assigns an uncertain malignancy designation to benign pituitary adenomas, and may adversely affect patients. Due to pandemic restrictions, the workshop was conducted virtually, with audiovisual lectures and written precis on each topic provided to all participants. Feedback was collated and summarized by Content Chairs and discussed during a virtual writing meeting moderated by Session Chairs, which yielded an evidence-based draft document sent to all participants for review and approval. There is not yet a case for adopting the PitNET nomenclature. The PANOMEN Workshop recommends that the term adenoma be retained and that the topic be revisited as new evidence on pituitary neoplasm biology emerges. Show less
Patients with pituitary tumours, ensuing hormonal abnormalities and mass effects are usually followed in multidisciplinary pituitary clinics and can represent a management challenge even during the... Show morePatients with pituitary tumours, ensuing hormonal abnormalities and mass effects are usually followed in multidisciplinary pituitary clinics and can represent a management challenge even during the times of non-pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has put on hold routine medical care for hundreds of millions of patients around the globe, while many pituitary patients' evaluations cannot be delayed for too long. Furthermore, the majority of patients with pituitary tumours have co-morbidities potentially impacting the course and management of COVID-19 (e.g. hypopituitarism, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular disease). Here, we summarize some of the diagnostic and management dilemmas encountered, and provide guidance on safe and as effective as possible delivery of care in the COVID-19 era. We also attempt to address how pituitary services should be remodelled in the event of similar crises, while maintaining or even improving patient outcomes. Regular review of these recommendations and further adjustments are needed, depending on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic status. We consider that the utilization of successful models of pituitary multidisciplinary care implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic should continue after the crisis is over by using the valuable and exceptional experience gained during these challenging times. Show less
Pituitary tumors are not rare if prevalence rates from autopsy or radiological series are considered; approximately 0.5% of all pituitary adenomas will come to medical attention. Less than 0.1% of... Show morePituitary tumors are not rare if prevalence rates from autopsy or radiological series are considered; approximately 0.5% of all pituitary adenomas will come to medical attention. Less than 0.1% of these pituitary adenomas will become malignant, and probably around 0.5% of all detected adenomas will display an aggressive course. However, the exact incidence of both aggressive pituitary adenomas and pituitary carcinomas is unknown, as most data come from series with selected patients, such as surgically treated patients, which is likely not a reflection of all patients with a pituitary adenoma. An aggressive pituitary adenoma is not well-defined; even though an overarching definition, capturing both immunohistochemical and clinical characteristics is probably not waterproof, adoption of a widely accepted definition will be very helpful to harmonize research and establish more reliable epidemiological data. Show less
Vries, F. de; Bruin, M.; Lobatto, D.J.; Dekkers, O.M.; Schoones, J.W.; Furth, W.R. van; ... ; Najafabadi, A.H.Z. 2020
Context: The increased use of opioids has resulted in an unprecedented opioid epidemic. Chronic opioid use causes hypogonadism, but its frequency, as well as the effects of opioids on other... Show moreContext: The increased use of opioids has resulted in an unprecedented opioid epidemic. Chronic opioid use causes hypogonadism, but its frequency, as well as the effects of opioids on other hypothalamo-pituitary-end organ hormone axes, remains unclear.Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effects of opioid use on pituitary function.Methods: Eight electronic databases were searched for articles published up to May 8, 2018. Fixed or random effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CI). This study is reported following the PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines.Data synthesis: 52 studies (22 low risk of bias) were included describing 18 428 subjects, consisting of patients with chronic pain (n = 21 studies) or on maintenance treatment for opioid addiction (n = 9) and healthy volunteers (n = 4). The most frequently used opioid was methadone (n = 13 studies), followed by morphine (n = 12). Prevalence of hypogonadism was 63% (95% CI: 55%-70%, 15 studies, 3250 patients, 99.5% males). Prevalence of hypocortisolism relying on dynamic and nondynamic testing was 15% (95% CI: 6%-28%, 5 studies, 205 patients, 57.5% males) and including only studies using the insulin tolerance tests 24% (95% CI 16%-33%, 2 studies, n = 97 patients). In 5 out of 7 studies, hyperprolactinemia was present. No clear effects on the somatotropic and hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axes were described.Conclusions: Hypogonadism occurs in more than half of male opioid users, and hypocortisolism in approximately one-fifth of all patients. Periodical evaluation of at least the gonadal and adrenal axes is therefore advisable. Show less
Interpretation Patients with Cushing's disease who have been in remission for more than 10 years are at increased risk of overall mortality compared with the general population, particularly from... Show moreInterpretation Patients with Cushing's disease who have been in remission for more than 10 years are at increased risk of overall mortality compared with the general population, particularly from circulatory disease. However, median survival from cure is excellent at about 40 years of remission. Treatment complexity and an increased number of treatments, reflecting disease that is more difficult to control, appears to negatively affect survival. Pituitary surgery alone is the preferred treatment to secure an optimum outcome, and should be done in a centre of surgical excellence. Show less
Conclusion: Lifelong injections of long-acting somatostatin analogues have significant burden on the functioning, well-being and daily lives of patients with acromegaly.
