Flow cytometry analysis of pituitary adenomas

Abstract

Using flow cytometry, DNA content and index, and/or proliferative capacity (measuring proliferating cell nuclear antigen PCNA) in operated pituitary tumors, control pituitaries obtained at necropsy, and experimental pituitary hyperplasia induced in rats were analyzed. Simultaneous measurement of cell ploidy and proliferation differentiated normal pituitary (diploid DNA index and negative PCNA) from pituitary hyperplasia (diploid DNA index with intensely positive PCNA, between 30 and 72% of cells). In the tumors 83% (19/ 23) were positive for PCNA (between 3 and 84%) and 73% (17/23) aneuploid; only 1 tumor was diploid and negative for PCNA.

Conclusions: Differentiation between normal and abnormal (neoplastic or hyperplastic) pituitary is possible by flow cytometry, but in the adenomas no correlation with postoperative clinical outcome was observed.