Advances in the Diagnosis, Treatment and Molecular Genetics of Pituitary Adenomas in Childhood

Abstract

The pituitary gland has an essential role in the maintenance of homeostasis, normal growth and reproductive function. Although pituitary tumours are rare in childhood and adolescence and are typically histologically benign, significant morbidity may result due to their location, mass effect and/or interference with normal pituitary hormone functions.1The early identification of pituitary tumours in children is necessary to avoid serious adverse effects on both physiological and cognitive outcomes as a result of pituitary hormone dysregulation during the critical periods of growth in childhood and adolescence. In this report, we review recent findings on the diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and molecular genetics of pituitary adenomas presenting in childhood.