FLOW-CYTOMETRY ANALYSIS OF PITUITARY-ADENOMAS

Using flow cytometry, DNA content and index, and/or proliferative capa city (measuring proliferating cell nuclear antigen PCNA) in operated p ituitary tumors, control pituitaries obtained at necropsy, and experim ental pituitary hyperplasia induced in rats were analyzed. Simultaneou s measurement of cell ploidy and proliferation differentiated normal p ituitary (diploid DNA index and negative PCNA) from pituitary hyperpla sia (diploid DNA index with intensely positive PCNA, between 30 and 72 % of cells). In the tumors 83% (19/ 23) were positive for PCNA (betwee n 3 and 84%) and 73% (17/23) aneuploid; only 1 tumor was diploid and n egative for PCNA. Conclusions: Differentiation between normal and abno rmal (neoplastic or hyperplastic) pituitary is possible by flow cytome try, but in the adenomas no correlation with postoperative clinical ou tcome was observed.