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Hormone de Produit par cellules somatotropes Effet sur la croissance reliée Nanisme Gigantisme chez
croissance (GH) Stimulée par la libération de GHRH indirectement à l’IGF-1 hypophysaire chez l’enfant;
(provoquée par la ↓ GH sérique et autres (Somatomédine C) l’enfant
ex. oestrogène, hypoglycémie, ↑ aa. Effet métabolique : Acromégalie
Sériques, ↓ AG sérique, exercice, stress hyperglycémie, ↑ lipolyse, ↑ chez l’adulte
affectif/physique, etc.) masse musculaire
Rétro-inhibition par la somatostatine Cibles : foie, muscles, os,
(provoquée par hyperglycémie, cartilage et autres tissus
hyperlipidémie, obésité et carences
affective), mais aussi GH,
somatomédines.
Contrôle neural : La concentration est
maximale de 1 à 4 heures après
l’endormissement et est plus élevée chez
les enfants).
Hormones Libération/Régulation Cibles/Effets Effets de Effets de
l’hyposécrétion l’hypersécrétion
Thyréotrophine Produites par cellules thyréotropes Glande thyroïde : stimule la Crétinisme chez Thyrotoxicose
(TSH) Stimulée par la TRH et indirectement croissance de la glande, incorpore l’enfant
par la grossesse et le froid. l’iode, synthétise et libère les Maladie de
Rétro-inhibition par les hormones hormones thyroïdiennes Hypothyroidisme/ Graves
thyroïdiennes sur l’adénohypophyse et Myxoedème chez
l’hypothalamus ainsi que par la GHIH l’adulte
(somatostatine)
Hormones Libération/Régulation Cibles/Effets Effets de Effets de
l’hyposécrétion l’hypersécrétion
Corticotrophine Produit par les cellules corticotropes Sécrétion de glucocorticoïdes et Rare Maladie de
(ACTH) Provient d’un précurseur POMC plus d’androgènes par la Cushing
grand corticosurrénale, mais moindre
Stimulée par la CRH (libérée suite à effet sur les minéralocorticoïdes
fièvre, hypoglycémie, stress), l’ADH et
l’ATII
Rétro-inhibition par les
glucocorticoïdes
Le rythme diurne a une influence
(ACTH ↓ quand on dort et ↑ au réveil)
N’importe quelle situation de stress
pathologique sur le corps ↑ ACTH (ex.
alcool, obésité, CRH ectopique)
Hormones Libération/Régulation Cibles/Effets Effets de Effets de
l’hyposécrétion l’hypersécrétion
Prolactine (PRL) Provient des cellules lactotropes Tissu sécréteur des seins : Insuffisance de la Galactorrhée;
Stimulée par la PRH dont la libération stimule la lactation post-partum sécrétion lactée aménorrhée
est favorisée par les oestrogènes, les Suppression de LH et FSH chez la femme qui chez la femme;
contraceptifs oraux, les opiacés et allaite impuissance et
l’allaitement. développement
Rétro-inhibition par la dopamine des seins chez
(PIH) : Le contrôle hypothalamique est l’homme
principalement inhibiteur. Si on perd
l’influence de l’hypothalamaus, les taux
de PRL ↑
Hormones Libération/Régulation Cibles/Effets Effets de Effets de
l’hyposécrétion l’hypersécrétion
Irradiation
Main effect is on hypothalamic function, but high-doses (e.g. proton
beam) can damage pituitary
Effect can be delayed several years; high risk patients should be
evaluated yearly
GH gonadotropin deficiencies usually develop first
Pituitary apoplexy
Syndrome caused by hemorrhage into a tumor with associated
infarction and leakage of blood into arachnoid space, with resultant
fever and stiff neck
Risk factors = Adenomas, Trauma, Pregnancy, Anticoagulation, Sickle
cell anemia, Diabetes mellitus
Pituitary infarction in peripartum period = Sheehan’s syndrome from
significant obstetric hemorrhage and hypovolemia acute vs. subacute
postpartum inability to lactate, amenorrhea & adrenal insufficiency
MANAGEMENT
Hormonal replacement in Hypopituitarism
GH GH (0.3 – 1.2 mg SC daily)
Titrate dose to achieve IGF-1 levels in middle to upper part of normal range
Women on OCP need higher doses
PRL None
ACTH Hydrocortisone (10 – 15 mg PO qAM); or Prednisone (2.5 mg PO qAM, 2.5 mg PO qPM)
Dose adjusted on clinical basis
Stress dosing: Hydrocortisone 50 – 75 mg IV q8h
TSH L-Thyroxine (0.075 – 0.15 mg) PO qd
Gonadotropins
Pulsatile GnRH (via pump) = less commonly used
Women
▪ Ovulation induction can use FSH and LH (or hCG)
▪ Conjugated estrogens (0.625 – 1.25 mg) or Mestranol (35 mg) PO days 1-25 each month cycled with medroxyprogresterone
acetate (5 – 10 mg) PO days 15-25 month
▪ Low dose contraceptive pills may also be used
▪ Estrogen-containing transdermal patches also available
Men
▪ Spermatogenesis induction can use hCG alone or with FSH
▪ Testosterone enanthate (100 – 300 mg) IM q1-3 wk
▪ Testosterone cyclopentylpropionate (100 – 300 mg) IM q1-3 wk
▪ Testosterone transdermal patches can also be used (5 mg qd)
▪ Testosterone gel (1%) 1-2 packets (5-10 g) daily
CLASSIFICATION
Hormones produced (Levels produced parallel size of tumors) Size
Lactotroph (prolactinoma) [PRL] 40-60%: Hypogonadism, Galactorrhea Microadenomas i.e. < 10 mm diameter
Corticotroph [ACTH] 5-10%: Cushing’s disease Macroadenomas i.e. > 10 mm diameter
Somatotroph [GH] 2-3%: Acromegaly and gigantism Macroadenomas with extrasellar extension
Thyrotroph [TSH] < 1%: Hyperthyroidism
Gonadotroph [FSH & LH] Non-functional; Mass effects, hypopituitary
Non-functioning/null cell 25-35%%: Mass effects, hypopituitarism
Mixed adenomas 10% of functioning adenomas: > 1 hormones
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Benign, Mostly monoclonal, ± Locally invasive; Rarely malignant. Normal pituitary often
compressed by large adenomas.
Concept of somatic mutations + hormonal stimulation leading to pituitary tumorigenesis
Inherited predispositions
1) McCune-Albright syndrome Mutation in Gsα-subunit leading to pituitary adenomas
▪ Other features: abnormalities in ovaries, bone, thyroid
2) Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) Autosomal dominant
▪ In conjunction with tumors of parathyroid and pancreas
3) Familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA) syndrome Most commonly GH- and PRL-
producing tumors
CLINICAL FEATURES
Signs & symptoms related mass effects
Headaches Expansion of diaphrama sellae or invasion of bone
Severe headache + N/V + altered LOC r/o hemorrhagic infarction with sudden enlargement
Bitemporal hemianopsia superior extension w/ pressure on optic chiasm
Visual field loss affected by location and flexibility of chiasm ± invasion of cavernous sinus ± surround CNII
Hypopituitarism may result from compression of hypothalamic-pituitary stalk
GH deficiency + hypogonadotropic hypogonadism = most common
Mild ↑ PRL 2° to stalk compression (↓ inhibition by dopamine) – will not respond to dopamine agonists
Reversible in ~50% of patients after surgical decompression
Diabetes insipidus (vasopressin deficiency)
Rarely 2° to pituitary tumors; should rather suspect craniopharyngioma or other disorders
INVESTIGATIONS
MRI with gadolinium = Best for evaluation
MANAGEMENT
Surgical therapy = Primary treatment, except for PRLomas
Indications ↓ hormone levels or Decompression to relieve mass effects & prevent further tumor expansion
Transphenoidal route with endoscopic (endonasal) almost exclusively used for decompression or extirpation
▪ Complications = CSF leak, Hemorrhage, Optic nerve injury, Hypopituitarism, Sinusitis, Transient DI
Subfrontal craniotomy reserved if extensive exploration of suprasellar region and surroundings is needed
Radiation therapy
Usually as adjunctive therapy after surgery or in combination with medical therapy
Response rates = slow (somewhat more rapid with stereotactic therapy), Rarely achieve complete remission
Complications = Partial/Complete hypopituitarism, ↑ stroke, Secondary tumors, Optic nerve damage, Brain necrosis, Cognitive
dysfunction
Medical therapy
Prolactinomas Dopamine agonists [Bromocriptine, Cabergoline]
▪ Induce rapid fall in PRL levels + ↓ tumor size
▪ Used in management of acromegaly (effect on GH responses + tumor size = less pronounced)
GH & TSH suppression Somatostatin analogues [Octreotide, Lanreotide]
▪ Used to treat acromegaly and TSH-producing tumors
Acromegaly (GH secreting adenoma) GH analogue [Pegvisomant]
▪ Altered binding to GH receptor that competitively inhibits GH binding to its receptor
Cushing’s disease tx by inhibition of steroid biosynthesis Ketoconazole, Metyrapone, Etomidate, Mitotane
▪ Drugs with substantial side effects; Usually need surgical therapy
Cushing’s syndrome Mifepristone (Block the action of cortisol at its receptor)
PROLACTINOMA
More common in women; Peak in childbearing years
Clinical features:
Pre-menopausal Oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, Infertility, Galactorrhea
Post-menopausal Headache or visual field deficits
Men Impotence, Infertility, ↓ Libido
Management
Goal If micro = restore gonadal & sexual function; If macro = control and
reduction of tumor size
Dopaminergic agonists
▪ Bromocriptine: initiate at 0.625 – 1.25 mg daily; ↑ by 1.25 mg weekly until dose of 2.5 mg
2-3x daily is reached
▪ Cabergoline: initiate at 0.25 – 0.50 mg once or twice weekly; ↑ dose monthly until PRL
normalizes
▪ ↓ S-E, recommended for resistance to bromocriptine
Surgery if symptomatic progression or intolerance to dopamine agonists
XRT if both medical and surgical therapies fail
CUSHING’S DISEASE (ACTH-SECRETING ADENOMAS)
2nd most common; Most often micro-adenomas; 2-3M:1F
Clinical features:
Central obesity, neuropsychiatric symptoms, purple striae, easy bruising, skin thinning, hirsutism, osteopenia, proximal myopathy
Management
Transsphenoidal surgery = 1° therapy
Repeat surgery or radiotherapy = incomplete resection or persistent disease
GH-SECRETING ADENOMAS
Cause gigantism in younger patients and Acromegaly in older patients
GH causes hepatic secretion of IGF-1 Acromegaly Growth of hands & feet, Coarsening of facial features, Carpal tunnel syndrome, OSA, Jaw
growth, OA, Excessive sweating, Visual field deficits
↑ rates of CVS complications, HTN, DM, and colon cancer
Management
1st line = Transsphenoidal surgical resection
2nd line = Dopamine agonist (bromocriptine) or Somatostain analogue (Octreotide) or GH antagonist (Pegvisomant)
Combined surgery + XRT has shown promising results in long-term follow-up studies
Higher remission rates for patients with microadenomas (75%) vs. macroadenomas (50%)
TSH-SECRETING ADENOMAS
Rare (< 1%)
Hyperthyroidism without TSH suppression i.e. antithyroid treatment is inappropriate
Management
1st line = Transsphenoidal surgical resection
2nd line = Dopamine agonist (bromocriptine) or Somatostain analogue (Octreotide) or GH antagonist (Pegvisomant)
Combined surgery + XRT has shown promising results in long-term follow-up studies
Higher remission rates for patients with microadenomas (75%) vs. macroadenomas (50%)
NON-FUNCTIONING ADENOMAS
Non-functioning micro-adenomas do not cause any signs or symptoms, found incidentally during imaging
Non-functioning macro-adenomas present with headache, hypopituitarism, ↓ visual acuity, visual field defects
Management
Transsphenoidal surgical resection for patients with enlarging tumours or visual changes
▪ Effective for immediate debulking + resolve visual symptoms
Long-term control of tumour growth = best managed by post-op radiotherapy