New Insights in the Pathogenesis of Pituitary Tumours

摘要: Pituitary adenomas (PA) are frequent and typically benign endocrine neoplasia, which clinical prevalence is estimated around 1/1000 inhabitants [1]. The vast majority sporadic. PA endowed with significant morbidity related to hormonal hypersecretion, neurological symptoms due intracranial mass effects or invasion of the surrounding structures and/or secondary hypopituitarism. Their evolution quite variable, ranging from indolent tumours an extremely slow growing potential, recurrent, aggressive, exceptionally malignant tumours. current management based on pharmacological treatment, mainly dopamine-agonists (DA) somatostatin analogues (SSA), surgery radiotherapy [2]. Despite considerable progress in PA, a subset patients not satisfactorily controlled. Long-term uncontrolled pituitary hormone leading potential severe systemic diseases, tumour recurrence aggressiveness still represent difficult challenge. Understanding mechanisms involved pathogenesis essential for development new therapeutic strategies. In this chapter, we will summarize concepts tumorigenesis focus our attention most recent insights perspectives field.