A Collision Tumor of Pit-1/SF-1-positive Double Pituitary Adenoma and a Craniopharyngioma Coexisting with Graves' Disease

Abstract

Double or multiple pituitary adenomas expressing different types of transcription factors and collision tumors of pituitary adenomas and craniopharyngiomas are rare. In this report, we present a case of pituitary adenoma of two different cell populations, Pit-1 and SF-1, and an adenoma and craniopharyngioma collision tumor with coexisting Graves' disease. The patient had a 16-mm pituitary tumor with pituitary stalk calcification and optic chiasm compression but no visual dysfunction. Based on hormonal profile results, the tumor in the sella was considered a nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma; nevertheless, the pituitary stalk was invaded by a different lesion, which was later confirmed to be a craniopharyngioma. Using an endoscopic endonasal approach, the pituitary adenoma was removed; however, a small remnant remained medial to the right cavernous sinus. Because the pituitary stalk lesion was isolated from the pituitary adenoma, it was preserved to maintain pituitary function. Three years after the initial surgery, the patient suffered from Graves' disease and was treated with antithyroid medications. However, the intrasellar residual and pituitary stalk lesions gradually increased in size. A second surgery was performed, and the residual intrasellar and stalk lesions were completely removed. As per the initial and second histopathologies, the pituitary adenoma comprised different cell groups positive for thyroid-(TSH) and follicle-stimulating hormones, and each cell group was positive for Pit-1 and SF-1. The pituitary stalk lesion was an adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma. We believe that TSH-producing adenoma was involved in the development of Graves' disease or that treatment for Graves' disease increased TSH-producing adenoma.