SAT-080: An Atypical Adenoma Presenting with Hyperandrogenism - A Rare Case of Pituitary Germ Cell Tumor

    October 2025 in “ Journal of the Endocrine Society
    Deanna Tran, Christopher Pham, John D. Carmichael, Gabriel Zada, Jonathan Sisti, Diana Ashouri, Caroline T. Nguyen
    TLDR A rare pituitary tumor in an 18-year-old male caused hormonal issues and vision loss, requiring surgery and further treatment.
    This article presents a rare case of a mixed germ cell tumor (GCT) in the pituitary gland of an 18-year-old male, leading to hyperandrogenism. The patient experienced symptoms such as vision loss, headaches, gynecomastia, and frontal hair loss. MRI revealed a macroadenoma, and lab tests showed elevated testosterone and prolactin levels. The tumor was surgically removed, and pathology identified it as a mixed GCT with components of teratoma, seminoma, and choriocarcinoma. Post-surgery, the patient developed arginine vasopressin deficiency and was placed on hormonal replacement therapy. This case underscores the importance of thorough physical examination and hormone analysis in diagnosing hormonal dysfunctions and suggests that atypical findings should lead to further investigation. GCTs are more common in males, particularly Asians, and often present with precocious puberty and vision loss. Treatment typically involves radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
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