From Benign to Malignant: The Arrival of Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors (PitNETs).

Abstract

Pituitary adenomas were recently reclassified as "neuroendocrine tumors," and are now considered to be cancers. The evolution and justification for this change are described. Critical illness policies, which currently provide coverage of pituitary adenomas under the "Benign Brain Tumor" provision must now be modified to reflect this new taxonomy. This change also prompts questions about the use of the words 'benign' and 'tumor' in critical illness policies.