When Thyrotropin Meets Growth Hormone: Clinical Challenges of a Mixed GH/TSH-Secreting PIT1-Lineage Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumor

Lanreotide treatment reduced IGF-1 and GH levels in a patient with a mixed GH/TSH-secreting PitNET, but persistent disease was observed post-surgery.

Summary and findings

A 39-year-old woman with a mixed GH/TSH-secreting PIT1-lineage PitNET underwent treatment with lanreotide 120 mg every four weeks. Preoperative biochemical evaluation showed IGF-1 levels of 1128 ng/mL, which decreased to 846 ng/mL after treatment. Despite surgery and continued lanreotide therapy, biochemical remission was not achieved, indicating persistent disease.

Abstract

<h4>Background: </h4> Acromegaly is most commonly caused by a growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET). Plurihormonal PIT1-lineage PitNETs are uncommon, and combined GH and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion poses distinctive diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We report a mixed GH/TSH-secreting PIT1-lineage PitNET in which biochemical response to preoperative lanreotide supported the clinical suspicion of co-secretion before histopathological confirmation. Case Presentation: A 39-year-old woman presented with a two-year history of progressive acral enlargement, headaches, hyperhidrosis, snoring, and voice deepening. Biochemical evaluation showed IGF-1 1128 ng/mL (reference range 93.1–281), GH 61 µg/L, TSH 1.5 µIU/mL (0.35–4.94), FT4 1.66 ng/dL (0.7–1.5), and FT3 7.0 pg/mL (1.8–4.2). Pituitary MRI demonstrated a 15 × 14 × 10.5 mm macroadenoma. Lanreotide 120 mg every four weeks reduced IGF-1 to 846 ng/mL and GH to 14 µg/L, while normalizing FT4 (1.04 ng/dL) and FT3 (3.9 pg/mL), reinforcing suspicion of mixed GH/TSH secretion. Transsphenoidal surgery was performed in October 2024. The tumor was initially classified as a densely granulated somatotroph PitNET; prompted by the preoperative biochemical phenotype, additional β-TSH immunostaining demonstrated positivity in numerous tumor cells, leading to reclassification as a mature plurihormonal PIT1-lineage PitNET (Ki-67 approximately 1%). Postoperative biochemical remission was not achieved, and MRI demonstrated a 7 mm residual lesion. Lanreotide was resumed, with sustained control of the thyrotroph component but persistent GH/IGF-1 excess. Because residual disease persisted with slight cavernous sinus extension, Gamma Knife radiosurgery was performed in July 2026. <h4>Conclusions:</h4> Mixed GH/TSH-secreting PIT1-lineage PitNETs may be overlooked when TSH is inappropriately normal rather than frankly elevated. This case illustrates the value of integrating biochemical findings, treatment response, and targeted histopathological reassessment. Persistent disease despite surgery and somatostatin receptor ligand therapy further highlights the frequent need for multimodal, long-term management.

Limitations

Not reported in abstract.

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