Grading and staging for pituitary neuroendocrine tumors

Abstract

Pituitary adenoma/pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are the second most common primary intracranial tumor and the most frequent neuroendocrine tumors/neoplasms of the human body. Thus, they are one of the most frequent diagnoses in neuropathologist's practise. 2022 5th edition WHO Classification of Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumors does not support a grading and/or staging system for PitNETs and argues that histological typing and subtyping are more robust than proliferation rate and invasiveness to stratify tumors. Numerous studies suggest the existence of clinically relevant molecular subgroups encouraging an integrated histo-molecular approach to the diagnosis of PitNETs to deepen the understanding of their biology and overcome the unresolved problem of grading system. The present review illustrates the main issues involved in establishing a grading and a staging system, as well as alternative systems validated by independent series to date. The state of art of the current histological and molecular markers is detailed, demonstrating that a standardized and reproducible clinico-pathological approach, combined with the integration of molecular data may help build a workflow to refine the definition of PitNETs with 'malignant potential' and most importantly, avoid delay in patient treatment. Next molecular studied are needed to validate an integrated histo-molecular grading for PitNETs.

Keywords: EPPG; PitNETs; WHO classification; grading; pituitary adenoma; staging.

FIGURE 1

Proposal for a clinical‐histo‐molecular workflow. The workflow for the management of “malignant potential” PitNETs integrates clinical criteria (signs of aggressiveness according to PitNET type), histological grading (corresponding to G2, G3, and NEC as intended for digestive NETs), and molecular data (via large NGS panel). *Rapid kinetics stands for tumor progression speed >1 cm/year. **G2, G3 NET and NEC intended as grading for digestive system.