Sarcomatous transformation of pituitary adenoma after bromocriptine therapy

Abstract

We reported a case of sarcomatous transformation of pituitary adenoma occurring in a 21-year-old woman. She had previously undergone surgery for pituitary adenoma (prolactinoma) 5 years earlier. Since then, she had received only bromocriptine medication therapy. The operation was repeated because of a relapse of the tumors. Histologically, the tumors were composed of adenomatous epithelial nests and fibrosarcomatous spindle cell components intermingled with each other. Immunohistochemically, adenomatous epithelial cells were stained positively with cytokeratin and prolactin. Fibrosarcomatous spindle cells were stained only with vimentin. The proliferation activity (Ki-67 expression) was much higher in the sarcomatous components than in common pituitary adenoma. p53 immunostaining was also positive in sarcomatous components. This was thought to be the first reported case of sarcomatous transformation of pituitary adenoma not associated with radiation therapy.