Clinical presentation patterns and tumor characteristics of pituitary adenomas: a 10-year experience from a tertiary endocrinology center
Abstract
Aims: Pituitary adenomas (PAs) are among the most common intracranial neoplasms and exhibit a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations depending on hormonal activity and tumor size. This study evaluated the demographic characteristics, tumor size distribution, and clinical presentation patterns of individuals with PAs at a tertiary endocrinology center.
Methods: This retrospective study included 522 individuals aged ≥16 years diagnosed with PAs between 2013 and 2023. Demographic characteristics, presenting symptoms, adenoma subtype, and tumor size were extracted from medical records and analyzed.
Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 31.3±12.0 years, and 75.1% of the cohort were female. Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) (48.9%) and prolactinomas (44.8%) were the most common adenoma subtypes, whereas acromegaly (4.4%), Cushing's disease (1.7%), and TSH-secreting adenomas (0.2%) were uncommon. Microadenomas predominated overall (81.6%), particularly in NFPAs (85.9%), prolactinomas (82.5%), and Cushing's disease (88.9%), whereas macroadenomas were more frequent in acromegaly (74.0%). Females predominated in most subtypes, whereas acromegaly showed a male predominance (60.9%). Hypogonadal symptoms were the most frequently recorded presenting complaints, documented in 88.9% of individuals with prolactinomas and 58.4% of those with NFPAs. Galactorrhea was recorded in 37.6% of females with prolactinomas. Complaints potentially related to mass effect were most frequent in NFPAs (19.6%) and acromegaly (17.4%). Asymptomatic or nonspecific presentations were most common in NFPAs (22.0%).
Conclusion: NFPAs and prolactinomas were the predominant PA subtypes. Clinical presentation and tumor size distribution varied considerably across adenoma subtypes. Recognition of these subtype-specific patterns may support the clinical evaluation of individuals with PAs.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
The authors received no financial support for this study.
Ethical Statement
This study was approved by the Harran University Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Approval No: HRÜ/24.12.16; Date: August 26, 2024). The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.
Thanks
The authors would like to thank all healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and follow-up of individuals included in this study.
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Endocrinology
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
October 25, 2026
Submission Date
June 29, 2026
Acceptance Date
August 22, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 6
APA
Karaaslan, H., Elyiğit, F., & Sabuncu, T. (2026). Clinical presentation patterns and tumor characteristics of pituitary adenomas: a 10-year experience from a tertiary endocrinology center. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, 8(6), 1115-1121. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1980905
AMA
1.Karaaslan H, Elyiğit F, Sabuncu T. Clinical presentation patterns and tumor characteristics of pituitary adenomas: a 10-year experience from a tertiary endocrinology center. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8(6):1115-1121. doi:10.38053/acmj.1980905
Chicago
Karaaslan, Hüseyin, Faruk Elyiğit, and Tevfik Sabuncu. 2026. “Clinical Presentation Patterns and Tumor Characteristics of Pituitary Adenomas: A 10-Year Experience from a Tertiary Endocrinology Center”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 (6): 1115-21. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1980905.
EndNote
Karaaslan H, Elyiğit F, Sabuncu T (October 1, 2026) Clinical presentation patterns and tumor characteristics of pituitary adenomas: a 10-year experience from a tertiary endocrinology center. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 6 1115–1121.
IEEE
[1]H. Karaaslan, F. Elyiğit, and T. Sabuncu, “Clinical presentation patterns and tumor characteristics of pituitary adenomas: a 10-year experience from a tertiary endocrinology center”, Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 1115–1121, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.38053/acmj.1980905.
ISNAD
Karaaslan, Hüseyin - Elyiğit, Faruk - Sabuncu, Tevfik. “Clinical Presentation Patterns and Tumor Characteristics of Pituitary Adenomas: A 10-Year Experience from a Tertiary Endocrinology Center”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8/6 (October 1, 2026): 1115-1121. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1980905.
JAMA
1.Karaaslan H, Elyiğit F, Sabuncu T. Clinical presentation patterns and tumor characteristics of pituitary adenomas: a 10-year experience from a tertiary endocrinology center. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8:1115–1121.
MLA
Karaaslan, Hüseyin, et al. “Clinical Presentation Patterns and Tumor Characteristics of Pituitary Adenomas: A 10-Year Experience from a Tertiary Endocrinology Center”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, vol. 8, no. 6, Oct. 2026, pp. 1115-21, doi:10.38053/acmj.1980905.
Vancouver
1.Hüseyin Karaaslan, Faruk Elyiğit, Tevfik Sabuncu. Clinical presentation patterns and tumor characteristics of pituitary adenomas: a 10-year experience from a tertiary endocrinology center. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026 Oct. 1;8(6):1115-21. doi:10.38053/acmj.1980905
