strontium-radioisotopes and Pituitary-Neoplasms

Strontium-90 was inject i.v. into pregnant rats on day 18 post conception (p.c.). This caused a remarkable transplacental radioactivity uptake and accumulation in the ossification centers of the skull basis. The total radiation dose within the surface of these regions was consequently calculated to be 0.6-1.2 Gy within the entire lifespan. About 50% of it was delivered during the 7 days following the injection of the isotope. The pathologic examination of the offspring throughout their lifetime revealed a pituitary tumor frequency in the exposed groups which was about tenfold in the males and threefold in the females in comparison to the controls. A very outstanding result in the animals treated was the occurrence of metastasizing meningeal sarcomas in about 6% of all cases. In four cases (= 2%) the simultaneous occurrence of a pituitary adenoma and of a meningeal sarcoma could be observed.

Topics: Adenoma, Chromophobe; Animals; Female; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Meningeal Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced; Pituitary Neoplasms; Pregnancy; Rats; Sarcoma; Strontium Radioisotopes

The present investigation was initiated to analyse the carcinogenic effect of combined treatment with 90Sr and oestrogenic hormones or corticosteroids in inbred CBA mice. Pituitary tumours appeared in a remarkably high incidence in mice treated with oestrogens + 90Sr in low doses--0.925 kBq/g body weight (44%) and 1.850 kBq/g body weight (37%)--as compared with mice treated with 90Sr only--1 and 3 per cent, respectively. The syncancerogenic effect is ascribed the oestrogen induced proliferation of pituitary cells and their increased sensitivity to radiation. The reverse relation found between number of pituitary tumours and dose of 90Sr in oestrogen treated mice is explained by the reduction of the survival time with increasing dose. Preneoplastic histologic changes of the pituitary are described and pituitary tumours which mainly appeared in pars distalis, are classified according to the growth and tinctorial characteristics.

Topics: Adenoma, Acidophil; Adenoma, Chromophobe; Animals; Estradiol; Estrogens; Hyperplasia; Male; Methylprednisolone; Mice; Mice, Inbred CBA; Neoplasms, Experimental; Organophosphorus Compounds; Pituitary Gland; Pituitary Neoplasms; Strontium Radioisotopes

Topics: Arteriovenous Malformations; Astrocytoma; Brain; Brain Neoplasms; Cerebral Angiography; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Chlormerodrin; Chondroma; Craniopharyngioma; Diagnosis, Differential; Glioblastoma; Hematoma, Subdural; Humans; Mercury Isotopes; Neoplasm Metastasis; Pituitary Neoplasms; Pneumoencephalography; Radionuclide Imaging; Strontium Radioisotopes; Technetium