Algorithm for morphological diagnosis of neoplasms in the chiasmal-sellar region

Abstract

In the Turkish saddle area, there is a wide variety of pathological processes, the vast majority of which present as tumors of various origins (up to 90%). For a clear morphological verification of the diagnosis, it is proposed to use a diagnostic algorithm that includes the stages of differential diagnosis of normal adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis with tumors in the anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary gland, non-pituitary origin neoplasms, as well as with non-tumor pathological processes (inflammation, cystic masses, and hyperplasia). For morphological diagnosis, histochemical and immunohistochemical methods are recommended using various staining techniques (silver impregnation, periodic acid Schiff reaction) of tissue specimens and antibody panels (pituitary hormones, low-molecular cytokeratins, pituitary transcription factors, neuroendocrine markers, etc.).