Background: Secondary hormonal deficiency (SHD) in patients with sellar masses (SM) is associated with significant morbidity. Purpose: to compare long-term risk of new-onset SHD in SM found incidentally (ISM) versus those clinically manifesting (CMSM). Methods: From the Halifax Neuropituitary Program’s database, we identified all patients having non-functioning and non-pituitary SM from January 1, 2006, with ≥ 12 months follow-up. Results: There were 214 CMSM (108 with baseline SHD) and 148 ISM (37 with baseline SHD) patients (mean follow-up: 5.7 and 5.0 years, respectively). In patients who underwent early surgery (<90 days from diagnosis), 3-month post-op hormonal function was considered baseline. Despite unchanged tumour size in over 95%, 129 (35.6%) developed new-onset SHD at up to 120 months. The risk of developing new-onset SHD was similar in CMSM and ISM groups (HR = 1.10; CI= 0.69-1.75; p= 0.7), and in surgical and nonsurgical patients (HR=1.24; CI= 0.59-2.61; p = 0.58). Conclusions: More than one third of patients with non-functioning or non-pituitary SM, presenting either with clinical manifestations or as incidental lesions, will develop new-onset SHD. Furthermore, SHD may develop several years later and despite stability of tumors, highlighting the need for ongoing, long-term hormonal assessment.
Incidental Lesions in Appendectomy Specimens; Rare or Rarely Sampled?
