Intranasal Chromophobe Adenocarcinoma: Report of a Case

Abstract

Chromophobe adenoma is a common intracranial tumor of adults. It usually arises in the vicinity of the pituitary stalk on the periphery of the gland where the chromophobe cells usually predominate. It is a globular encapsulated lesion that grows to large proportions and may be either solid or cystic.¹ The tumor causes deformity and destruction of the sella and sometimes gives rise to symptoms of hypopituitarism. It causes compression of the optic chiasm and frequently produces characteristic bitemporal hemianopic visual field defects. Microscopically the tumor consists of polygonal cells arranged in columns, or alveoli about a stroma of branching sinuses. It is separated by a capsule of connective tissue from the normal gland. Under high magnification the uniform cells reveal an angular cytoplasm and round to oval hyperchromatic nuclei with little evidence of mitosis. These tumors may extend above the tentorium² to compress and distort the optic nerves,