Immunocytochemical characterisation of human pituitary adenomas.

Immunohistochemical and histological investigations were undertaken on 24 surgically-removed pituitary adenomas. By histology (haemalu-eosin staining), 7 chromophobe, 12 acidophil and 5 basophil pituitary adenomas were revealed. For immunohistochemical purposes the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique was applied. Primary antisera against 10 hormones were used. By immunohistochemistry, 7 prolactin-containing, 2 TSH-containing, 2 GH-containing and 1 beta-endorphin-containing pituitary adenomas were identified. Furthermore, 1 mixed thyrotropic-prolactin human pituitary adenoma was detected. A possible connection between histological and immunocytochemical findings is discussed.