Pituitary Teratoma: A Case Series of Three Cases

Cureus. 2023 May 8;15(5):e38729. doi: 10.7759/cureus.38729. eCollection 2023 May.

Abstract

Mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is a benign germ cell tumor, histologically comprising components derived from mesoderm, ectoderm, and endoderm layer tissue. MCT usually has foci of intestinal components and colonic epithelia. Pituitary teratomas containing complete colon features are very rare. Here, we present three cases of sellar teratoma in two men aged 50 and 65 years and a woman aged 30 years. All patients presented with asthenia, adynamia, and loss of strength. A pituitary mass was incidentally observed on magnetic resonance imaging. Histological features showed a mature teratoma formed by gut and colonic epithelium, extended lymphoid tissue with the formation of Peyer's patches, and muscular layer vestiges with a fibrous capsule. The immunohistochemical panel showed reactivity to cytokeratin (CK)7, CKAE6/AE7, carcinoembryonic antigen, octamer-binding transcription factor 4, cluster of differentiation (CD)20, CD3, vimentin, muscle actin, and pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 in isolated cells. However, alpha-fetoprotein, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, human placental lactogen, CK20, tumor suppressor protein 53, and Kirsten rat sarcoma were negative. This article describes the clinical and histological features of rare sellar masses as well as survival after therapy.

Keywords: immunohistochemistry; mature teratoma; pituitary tumor; sellar teratoma; skull base tumors.

Publication types

  • Case Reports