Pituitary adenomas are relatively rare occurrences in the pediatric population, and there are few studies documenting the profile of these tumors in this age group.
To study the clinical and pathologic features of pediatric pituitary adenomas in conjunction with a review of the available literature.
A retrospective clinicopathologic review of 20 pediatric patients (younger than 20 years of age) with pituitary adenomas resected during a 24.5-year period (1981-2005).
A total of 20 patients, including 12 females and 8 males, comprise the study group. Mean age at onset of symptoms was 14.0 years (range, 5-18 years). Four patients had onset of symptoms before the age of 12 years. The majority of patients presented with headaches (n = 12), visual disturbances (n = 12) or, in females, menstrual dysfunction (n = 9/12). Tumor size based on radiographic data was known for 19 tumors; 12 adenomas were greater than 1 cm in greatest dimension, and 7 were less than 1 cm. On follow-up, 2 patients with total gross tumor resections had recurrent adenomas; time to recurrence was 5 months and 17 months, respectively. Nine adenomas stained solely for prolactin, 5 for adrenocorticotropic hormone, and 3 for growth hormone. Two stained for growth hormone and prolactin. One did not stain with hormone antibodies.
Most pediatric pituitary adenomas present after the onset of puberty and present with frequent headaches, changes in visual acuity and, in females, menstrual dysfunction. Most (19/20) were secretory, with prolactinomas being the most common type.