Radically resected pituitary adenomas: prognostic role of Ki 67 labeling index in a monocentric retrospective series and literature review

Pituitary. 2014 Jun;17(3):267-76. doi: 10.1007/s11102-013-0500-6.

Abstract

Ki-67 Labeling Index is an immunocytochemical marker of cell proliferation. The correlation of Ki-67 expression with pituitary adenomas recurrence has been investigated and is highly debated. Aim of this study was to evaluate whether Ki-67 correlates with recurrence even in patients with an apparently completely removed pituitary adenoma. We retrospectively reviewed the database of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary Disease Unit at the Catholic University of Rome, collected between 2003 and 2011. Inclusion criteria were: patients who underwent surgery at the Department of Neurosurgery with an apparently complete removal of a pituitary adenoma; Ki-67 histological evaluation by the same operator and values of <3%. All patients underwent endocrine evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary function, ophthalmologic and neuro-radiological examinations, during the preoperative period and follow-up. Out of 490 patients recorded on the database of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary Disease Unit at the Catholic University of Rome, 191 cases met the inclusion criteria. Recurrence was observed in 49 cases (25.7% of the patients who had undergone radical excision). Optional cut-off value was identified at Ki-67 values of 1.50%. This was associated with worse disease-free survival time, even after correction for age at treatment, gender, positivity to p53, functional classification and Knosp grading. Ki-67 labeling index may be useful in postoperative management, even in patients who underwent radical PA removal. We suggest a Ki-67 cut-off value of 1.5% to plan an adequate clinical follow-up.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / diagnosis*
  • Adenoma / surgery*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ki-67 Antigen / analysis*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pituitary Function Tests
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Ki-67 Antigen