“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live in.”
— Jim Rohn
PNA Medical Corner: Age and progression-free survival with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas
Dr. John Atkinson
Dr. Jamie Van Gompel
Dr. Maria Peris Celda
This month the PNA Medical Corner focuses on a study coauthored by three members of the PNA: Drs. John Atkinson, Jamie Van Gompel and Maria Peris Celda. They conclude that older patients with nonfunctioning pituitary tumors had better progression-free survival rates, even when they underwent aggressive surgery.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38669710/
Correlation of older age with better progression-free survival despite less aggressive resection in nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas
Yuki Shinya 1 2, John L D Atkinson 1, Dana Erickson 3, Irina Bancos 3, Carlos D Pinheiro Neto 4, Caroline J Davidge-Pitts 3, Maria Peris Celda 1, Justine S Herndon 3, Sukwoo Hong 1 2, Jamie J Van Gompel 1
Abstract
Objective: Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) present at a wide range of ages; it is possible that variable
outcomes are based on patient age at presentation. This study aimed to explore long-term outcomes of patients with NFPAs following endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (ETS), considering age stratification.
Methods: This retrospective study included 228 patients with NFPAs who underwent ETS, with a median follow-up period of 63 months. The outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS) rates and neurological and endocrinological outcomes. Age-stratified Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed. Patients were classified into four age groups: ≤ 49, 50-59, 60-69, and ≥ 70 years.
Results: Age-stratified analysis showed a significant correlation between age and PFS in NFPAs (5-year PFS rates: 63.0% in those ≤ 49 years, 76.7% in those 50-59 years, 85.0% in those 60-69 years, and 88.1% in those ≥ 70 years; p = 0.001, log-rank test). Bivariate (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05; p = 0.001) and multivariable (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.05; p = 0.001) analyses demonstrated that older age was significantly associated with longer PFS. Multivariable analysis also demonstrated that smaller maximum tumor diameter (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.60-0.99; p = 0.036) and gross-total resection (HR 8.55, 95% CI 3.90-18.75; p = 0.001) were significantly associated with longer PFS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only younger age was associated with postoperative improvement of male hypogonadism (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84-0.99; p = 0.019). Other postoperative neurological and endocrinological outcomes were not significantly associated with age.
Conclusions: Older patients with NFPAs treated with ETS demonstrated a longer PFS. Of endocrinological outcomes studied, only male hypogonadism improvement was associated with younger patient age.
Keywords: age-dependent outcome; endonasal transsphenoidal surgery; nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas; pituitary surgery
Featured News and Updates
News Articles April 2026
Pituitary story: 10-year-old pituitary patient honored for bravery
A ten-year-old Scottish girl has been honored for her bravery as she underwent surgery for a pituitary tumor. Read more: https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/she-s-an-absolute-star-inverness-pupil-honoured-for-brave-431104/
Teen overcomes Cushing’s Disease
A 17-year-old girl in North Carolina is doing well after surgery to remove a pituitary tumor caused by Cushing’s Disease. She is an avid runner who suffered headaches and fatigue before her diagnosis. Read more: https://www.wect.com/2026/04/01/believe-them-teen-runner-diagnosed-with-rare-cushings-disease-after-years-symptoms/
Pituitary story: Cushing’s at age 27
A 27-year-old woman experienced a lack of menses and unexplained weight gain before being diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. She had surgery at Cleveland Clinic in Florida and has returned to a normal life. Read more: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/patient-stories/960-in-her-twenties-yoselin-needed-pituitary-tumor-surgery
Mobile MRI during pituitary surgery
An article on MSN.com looks at the use of mobile brain scanners during pituitary surgery in Canada. Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/other/mobile-brain-scans-sound-like-science-fiction-but-they-re-now-helping-more-canadian-patients/ar-AA1YlZWc
Research Articles
Research Articles April 2026
Pituitary Tumors
Li J, Qu Y, Zhang W, Yang Z, Zeng Y, Xu J, Xie K, Liu Q.Int J Mol Med. 2026 Jun;57(6):151. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2026.5822. Epub 2026 Apr 3.
Dzhatieva DN, Pigarova EA, Dzeranova LK.Zh Vopr Neirokhir Im N N Burdenko. 2026;90(2):98-102. doi: 10.17116/neiro20269002198.
[Impact of cabergoline on fibrosis in prolactinoma].
Matsueva IA, Paltsev AA, Guseva KA, Tsoy UA, Grineva EN.Zh Vopr Neirokhir Im N N Burdenko. 2026;90(2):85-91. doi: 10.17116/neiro20269002185.
Klochkova IS, Astafyeva LI, Kutin MA, Konovalov AN, Sidneva YG, Shkarubo AN, Kalinin PL.Zh Vopr Neirokhir Im N N Burdenko. 2026;90(2):77-84. doi: 10.17116/neiro20269002177.
Fedai NK, Uzun N, Bostan H, Kizilgul M, Demirci T, Cakal E, Ucan B.Hormones (Athens). 2026 Apr 2. doi: 10.1007/s42000-026-00766-3. Online ahead of print.
Lozouet M, Saadoun A, Ménard A, Aldea S, Jaoude SA, Heran F, Yavchitz A, Philibert M, Chauvet D.Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2026 Mar 28;267:109409. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2026.109409. Online ahead of print.
Hajikarimloo B, Mohammadzadeh I, Tos SM, Bahri A, Sabaghian A, Habibi MA.Endocrine. 2026 Apr 1;91(1):118. doi: 10.1007/s12020-026-04590-y.
Pituitary disorders
Recurrent pituitary apoplexy: experience from a national registry and review of the literature.
Biagetti B, Cordero Asanza E, Iglesias P, Camara R, Asla Q, Vicente A, Martinez-Saez E, Sarria-Estrada S, Puig-Domingo M, Araujo-Castro M.Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Mar 28;17:20420188261434641. doi: 10.1177/20420188261434641. eCollection 2026.
Post-Traumatic Pituitary Stalk Transection Syndrome.
Albusaidi R, AlHatmi A, Al Shidhani A, Al-Ajmi E.Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2026 Mar 7;26(1):230-232. doi: 10.18295/2075-0528.2977. eCollection 2026.
Al-Shamkhi N, Edén Engström B, Rask E, Anderzén-Carlsson A.PLoS One. 2026 Mar 31;21(3):e0345909. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0345909. eCollection 2026.
Valeri F, Zoli M, Lillo S, Tengattini F, Colombo F, Pasquini E, Salierno G, Carretta A, D’Ambrosio L, Babaei D, Agosti E, Mattogno PP, Fontanella MM, Lauretti L, Mazzatenta D, Doglietto F, Iannalfi A.Neurosurg Rev. 2026 Mar 31;49(1):331. doi: 10.1007/s10143-026-04258-1.
Cushing’s
Chen B, He C, Han L, Wang H, Ma Y, Wang R, Cai X.Onco Targets Ther. 2026 Feb 6;19:571776. doi: 10.2147/OTT.S571776. eCollection 2026.
Jamal HF.JCEM Case Rep. 2026 Mar 31;4(4):luag039. doi: 10.1210/jcemcr/luag039. eCollection 2026 Apr.
Mangone A, Sala E, Carosi G, Sindaco GD, Mungari R, Cremaschi A, Petria I, Noschese G, Lotito V, Mantovani G, Ferrante E.Pituitary. 2026 Apr 1;29(2):68. doi: 10.1007/s11102-026-01668-8.
Rivera-Martínez WA, Ramírez Castaño MJ, Cruz Calderón S, Díaz Posada NA, Gutiérrez Restrepo J, Román-González A, Aristizábal Henao N, Castaño Ceballos PA, Tobón Ospina CI, Donado Gómez JH, López Pompey N, Builes-Montaño CE.Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Mar 28;17:20420188261434078. doi: 10.1177/20420188261434078. eCollection 2026.
Nitya AAV, Ghosh J, Taneja S, Singla V, Kalra N, Dutta P.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Jan-Feb;30(1):79-84. doi: 10.4103/ijem.ijem_821_25. Epub 2026 Feb 27.
Quan W, Zhao DW, Li L, Chen HR, Wang L, Hu SL, Hu R.World Neurosurg. 2026 Mar 28:124958. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2026.124958. Online ahead of print.PMID: 41912140
Acromegaly
Meningoencephalitis and secondary pituitary abscess in a 16-year-old patient with gigantism.
Wissa M, Strenger V, Weinhandl G, Braun H, Wolfsberger S, Micko A.JCEM Case Rep. 2026 Apr 1;4(4):luag032. doi: 10.1210/jcemcr/luag032. eCollection 2026 Apr.
The silent surden: Alexithymia and quality of life in acromegaly patients.
Soltanova L, Aygun AB, Kocaman BB, Muradov I, Taze SS, Turan S, Kadioglu P, Durcan E.Endocrine. 2026 Apr 2;91(1):135. doi: 10.1007/s12020-026-04606-7.
To test or not to test: what we have learnt from 50 years of dynamic testing in acromegaly.
De Marinis L, Chiloiro S, Mancini A, Giambò P, Giampietro A, Bianchi A, Pontecorvi A, Giustina A.Pituitary. 2026 Mar 31;29(2):67. doi: 10.1007/s11102-026-01649-x.
Tsatsaris E, Robèrt J, Burman P, Berinder K, Bonelli L, Dahlqvist P, Höybye C, Ragnarsson O, Vouzouneraki K, Åkerman AK, Ekman B, Engström BE.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Mar 30:dgag137. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgag137. Online ahead of print.PMID: 41913644
Acromegaly-Physiopathology and etiology.
Castinetti F.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:83-102. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2026.01.001. Epub 2026 Jan 28.PMID: 41912301 Review.
Co-secreting pituitary adenomas in acromegaly: Classification, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.
Biagetti B, Araujo-Castro M.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:41-57. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2025.06.002. Epub 2025 Dec 3.
Acromegaly and histopathology.
Caballero GA, Ribalta T, Aldecoa I.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:293-334. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2025.10.007. Epub 2025 Nov 13.PMID: 41912298 Review.
New molecular markers of response to medical therapy in acromegaly.
Raventós A, Gil J, Marques-Pamies M, de Pedro-Campos P, Puente de la Vega C, Picó A, Lamas C, Delgado E, Menéndez E, Serra G, Bernabéu I, Villar R, Ferri J, Mariaca K, Martínez R, Marazuela M, Araujo-Castro M, Biagetti B, Jordà M, Valassi E, Puig-Domingo M; ACROMICS investigators.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:265-292. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2025.10.006. Epub 2025 Nov 12.
de Lapiscina IM, Baquero C, Castaño L.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:235-263. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2025.10.008. Epub 2025 Dec 16.PMID: 41912295 Review.
Donato S, Regala C, Marques P.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:195-234. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2025.10.005. Epub 2026 Feb 16.PMID: 41912294 Review.
Hormonal Health
Wu H, Jian MT, Ning G, Li BN, Peng AJ, Wang HY, Tang X, Zhou X.Asian J Androl. 2026 Apr 3. doi: 10.4103/aja2025105. Online ahead of print.
From the perspective of prolactin: a view on obesity.
Wang Y, Luo D, Fang G, Ge M, Huang Y, Deng H.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2026 Mar 16;17:1762596. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2026.1762596. eCollection 2026.
Gonadotropins Across the Lifespan: Their role in the Neurodevelopment-Neurodegeneration Continuum.
Galbraith JA, Elhassan MZ, Rocha JF, Al Mozani TA, Fredericks CA.Yale J Biol Med. 2026 Mar 31;99(1):199-215. doi: 10.59249/EVST3084. eCollection 2026 Mar.
Dayno AN, Crowley J, Bamba V, Bhoj EJK, Shekdar K, McCormack SE.Neoreviews. 2026 Apr 1;27(4):e211-e221. doi: 10.1542/neo.27-4-002.
Unconventional Uses of Human Growth Hormone.
Lisbona-Buzali M, Edid-Jaris G, Alegre-Lifshitz A, Mercado-Medrez S, Taniguchi-Ponciano K, Marrero-Rodriguez D, Mercado M.Arch Med Res. 2026 Mar 30;57(5):103412. doi: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2026.103412. Online ahead of print.PMID: 41915988 Review.
Elia A.Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Jun 1;70(3):e260025. doi: 10.20945/2359-4292-2026-0025.
TRH can stimulate the release of two POMC-derived pituitary hormones, ACTH and MSH, in medaka.
Yamakawa M, Gajbhiye DS, Golan M, Kanda S.Endocrinology. 2026 Mar 30:bqag037. doi: 10.1210/endocr/bqag037. Online ahead of print.
The FDA has approved NGENLA (somatrogon-ghla)
The FDA has approved NGENLA (somatrogon-ghla), a once-weekly, human growth hormone analog indicated for treatment of pediatric patients aged three years and older who have growth failure due to an inadequate secretion of endogenous growth hormone.
Count on your Xeris CareConnection™ Team for unparalleled Cushing’s Support
Cushing’s can be challenging, but there is support so patients can feel like themselves again. The main goal of treating Cushing’s is to get cortisol levels back to normal. This Pituitary Awareness Month, Xeris Pharmaceuticals® is highlighting the importance of one-on-one support for patients living with Cushing’s Syndrome and support for HCPs treating Cushing’s Syndrome.
Sign up to get dedicated support:
Patients: Sign up for support | Recorlev® (levoketoconazole)
HCP’s: Connect with Xeris support | RECORLEV® (levoketoconazole)
Have more questions? Call for more support at 1-844-444-RCLV (7258)
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