Molecular Pathology Of Pituitary Adenomas

The pituitary gland is an important one since it controls several of the other hormone glands, such as the thyroid and adrenals. A pituitary adenoma is an abnormal growth or tumor in this gland, and they are the subject of very active clinical and pathological research. This book examines the latest developments in this field and discusses the most important molecules implicated in apoptosis, angiogenesis and signal transduction. A good understanding of these processes is needed to identify the best therapies. Facilitates the understanding of the processes involved and how they are translated into therapy Illustrations are used to explain the complex mechanisms involved

Molecular pathology, a newly emerging field of research, is providing a deeper insight and understanding of the pituitary structure and its function in health and disease. This volume covers the basic principles of molecular pathology and summarizes the current knowledge of pituitary development as well as pituitary adenoma morphology and pathogenesis. Molecular, state-of-the-art techniques currently used for research and clinical applications are presented and the results of these fascinating and sophisticated modern tools are illustrated. The contents cover topics such as the mechanisms involved in pituitary development and cytogenesis, tumor development and functional differentiation, cell death, the molecular cytogenetics of defective genes and chromosomes, and pituitary tumor formation and progression. The contributors all are internationally well-known and esteemed experts. The chapters are comprehensive and up to date and focus on recent advances and should stimulate further studies. The present volume of Frontiers of Hormone Research will be of particular interest not only to basic scientists, but also pathologists, clinical endocrinologists and neurosurgeons.

Gigantism and Acromegaly brings together pituitary experts, taking readers from bench research, to genetic analysis, clinical analysis, and new therapeutic approaches. This book serves as a reference for growth hormone over-secretion and its diagnosis and treatment for endocrinologists, pediatricians, internists, and neurosurgeons, and for geneticists. Pharmaceutical companies may use it as a reference for drug development and research. Students, residents and fellows in medicine and endocrinology and genetics will also find it valuable as it provides a single up-to-date review of the molecular biology of gigantism and acromegaly as well as recommended approaches to evaluation and management. Acromegaly is a rare pituitary disorder that slowly changes its adult victim’s appearance over time: larger hands and feet, bigger jaw, forehead, nose, and lips. Generally, a benign pituitary tumor is the cause and symptoms of acromegaly can vary from patient to patient, making a diagnosis difficult and prolonging suffering for years. Early detection is key in the management of acromegaly as the pathologic effects of increased growth hormone (GH) production are progressive and can be life-threatening as the result of associated cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory disorders and malignancies. Accessible, up-to-date overview of the characteristics, state-of-the-art diagnostic procedures, and management of acromegaly and gigantism Provides a unique compendium of endocrinology, genetics, clinical diagnosis and therapeutics Contains contributions from internationally known experts who have treated patients with acromegaly and gigantism

Update on basic and clinical research on pituitary function and disease.

The past two decades have seen an ever accelerating growth in knowledge about molecular pathology of human diseases, which received a large boost with the sequencing of the human genome in 2003. Mole- lar diagnostics, molecular targeted therapy, and genetic therapy are now routine in many medical centers. The molecular field now impacts every field in medicine, whether clinical research or routine patient care. There is a great need for basic researchers to understand the potential clinical implications of their research whereas private practice clinicians of all types (general internal medicine and internal medicine specialists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, pediatricians, family practitioners), clinical inves- gators, pathologists and medical laboratory directors, and radiologists require a basic understanding of the fundamentals of molecular pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment for their patients. Traditional textbooks in molecular biology deal with basic science and are not readily applicable to the medical setting. Most medical textbooks that include a mention of molecular pathology in the clinical setting are limited in scope and assume that the reader already has a working knowledge of the basic science of molecular biology. Other texts emphasize technology and testing procedures without integrating the clinical perspective. There is an urgent need for a text that fills the gap between basic science books and clinical practice.

Pituitary adenomas are a category of neoplasms with a high degree of heterogeneity that occur in the central regulatory organ pituitary, which plays important roles in the hypothalamus-pituitary-targeted organ axis systems that impact on important physiological functions of human body. Rapidly developed multi-omics and systems biology are impacting on treatment of pituitary adenomas and changing the paradigms from the traditional single-factor strategy to a multi-parameter systematic strategy. A series of molecular alterations at different levels of genes (genome), RNAs (transcriptome), proteins (proteome), peptides (peptidome), metabolites (metabolome), and imaging characteristics (radiome) that resulted from exogenous and endogenous carcinogens are involved in pituitary tumorigenesis and mutually associate and function in a molecular network system, thus determines the difficulty in the use of a single molecule as biomarker to clarify its molecular mechanisms, and to predict, prevent, diagnose, and treat a pituitary adenoma. Of them, molecular network study plays central roles. A key molecule-panel biomarker that is derived from molecular network is necessary for accurately clinical practice of a pituitary adenoma. The modern multi-omics, computation biology, and systems biology technologies lead to the possibility in recognizing really reliable molecular-panel biomarker for research and clinical practice in pituitary adenomas.

This text was created to fill a void in the practice of pediatric neuropathology. It is a practical and well-illustrated book representing a collection of interesting, common and unusual tumors for a diagnostic exercise by the reader. The wide reception of the first edition by the pathology community is testament to its relevance and utility in the pathologic diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors. This edition covers topics ranging from neuroimaging, the use of crush and touch preps during intraoperative consultation, classic histological features of pediatric brain tumors, tumor variants, and a miscellaneous group of challenging tumors. Chapters consist of essential diagnostic information and features highlighting recognized variants and their differential diagnoses. A section on molecular pathology and electron microscopy is also included for each tumor category, along with a list of classic reviews and innovative articles on each of the tumor entities as suggested reading at the end of each chapter. Atlas of Pediatric Brain Tumors, Second Edition represents the state of the art in pediatric neuropathology with easy utility beside the microscope.

Intended for pathologists and endocrinologists, this book covers the diagnosis, surgical and medical treatment of pituitary adenomas. It includes special techniques used to study pituitary adenomas, including electron microscopy, cell culture and molecular biology. The text combines traditional morphologic approaches with more recent information derived from studies with the tools of the new biology. It combines extensive coverage of diagnosis with various aspects of the pituitary adenomas. The integrated approach provides a foundation for making specific diagnoses of pituitary disorders and also indicates the future directions of pituitary pathology. The emphasis is on diagnostic criteria for pituitary tumours. Chapters on medical and surgical management of pituitary adenomas provide a balanced perspective on the approach to the patient with pituitary tumours.