Temozolomide therapy in a man with an aggressive prolactin-secreting pituitary neoplasm: morphological findings

SummaryAdministration of temozolomide to a 46-year-old man with an invasive aggressive prolactin (PRL)–secreting pituitary neoplasm resulted in improvement of the clinical condition and significant decrease of blood PRL levels. Histologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic study demonstrated marked morphological differences in the tumor exposed to temozolomide compared with the unexposed tumor. Necrosis, hemorrhagic areas, accumulation of connective tissue, focal inflammatory infiltration, and neuronal transformation were seen. Immunohistochemical prognostic indicators showed a reduction in growth potential. Based on the clinical, laboratory, and morphological findings, we recommend temozolomide therapy in patients with pituitary tumors not responding adequately to other treatment options.