Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Pituitary Tumors: A 10-Year Retrospective Observational Analysis at A Referral Center in Western Mexico

Introduction: Pituitary tumors are the most common neoplasm of the sellar region and represent a clinical challenge. Their heterogeneity ranges from microadenomas to aggressive macroadenomas capable of compromising adjacent structures and disrupting hormonal balance. They are classified as functioning and non-functioning tumors, along with tumor size, it determines clinical presentation, therapeutic decisions, and prognosis. Objective: Analyze the clinical, demographic, and radiological characteristics of patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas between 2014-2025 at a referral center in Mexico. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of all patients diagnosed with pituitary adenomas between 2014-2025 (excluding 2020 due to pandemic), collecting demographic information and characterizing tumors according to size, sellar and suprasellar extension, hormonal activity, and the specific type of hormone secreted. Results: A total of 324 patients were included, with a mean age of 45.9 years; 182 (56%) were women and 142 (44%) men. Regarding tumor characteristics, 293 (90%) were classified as macroadenomas, 21 (6%) as microadenomas, and in 10 cases (3.1%) size information was unavailable. Sellar and suprasellar invasion was evaluated using the Hardy classification. Cavernous sinus invasion was assessed using the Knosp classification. Regarding hormonal functionality, 211 (65%) had non-functioning and 112 (34.5%) functioning. Conclusion: The results from this center reflects the challenging nature of the cases treated and underscore the importance of the institution as a high-specialty center, recognized for its expertise in managing pituitary tumors through advanced surgical approaches and multidisciplinary strategies. Table 1 Size and Hardy-Knosp Classification Characteristic Value (n%) Microadenomas 21 (6) Macroadenomas 293 (90) Sellar Extension - Hardy Classification I 20 (6.1) II 84 (25.8) III 89 (27.4) IV 103 (31.7) Data missing 25 (8) Suprasellar Extension - Hardy Classification A 91 (28) B 47 (14.5) C 88 (27.1) D 47 (14.5) E 25 (7.7) Data missing 26 (8) Cavernous Sinus Invasion - Knosp Classification 0 15 (4.63) 1 51 (15.7) 2 72 (22.2) 3 62 (19.1) 4 99 (30.5) Missing Data 25 (7.7) Table 2 Characteristics of Hormone Production Tumoral Hormone Production Value (n%) Functioning 112 (34.5) Prolactine 29 (25.8) Adrenocorticotropic Hormone 25 (22.3) Growing Hormone 19 (16.9) Thyroid-Stimulanting Hormone 1 (0.8) Non-Functioning 221 (65.1) Data Missing 2 (0.6) Publication History Article published online: 27 February 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany