Pituitary metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma.

Pituitary tumor is a common neuroendocrine tumor, but there are also rare clinical metastases at this site, which are generally transferred from extrabellar tumors. Although the clinical incidence is low, the prognosis is poor. The purpose of this editorial is to discuss further the relevant knowledge of pituitary metastases and remind clinicians to prevent missed diagnosis and improve the prognosis of these patients.

Pituitary metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Pituitary gland metastasis is an unusual event, and pituitary metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma is extremely rare and associated with poor prognosis. To date, approximately 15 cases have been reported. CASE SUMMARY: Here, we present the case of a 64-year-old woman with pituitary metastasis derived from lung adenocarcinoma, which was difficult to distinguish from other sellar tumors. The patient presented to the neurosurgery clinic with blurred vision and intermittent headache. During hospitalization, brain computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a pituitary macroadenoma. Chest CT revealed irregular nodules in the basal segment of the lower lobe of the left lung, which were likely lung cancer. Positron emission tomography-CT revealed a carbohydrate metabolism tumor in the lungs and sellar region, which was considered malignant. Postoperative pathological examination of the sellar tumor revealed lung adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Excision of pituitary metastases combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy should be a priority treatment for patients with pituitary metastasis.

Sellar metastasis: A rare intraoperative finding - surgical treatment, strategies and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: The sellar region, though uncommon for metastatic spread, may become more prevalent due to longer survival of patients with metastatic malignancies. Compression of adjacent vital anatomy can cause disabling symptoms and endocrine disturbances, leading to significant morbidity METHODS: This study analyzed sellar pathologies treated via endonasal approach from January 2011 to December 2021 to assess the incidence of sellar metastases. Patient demographics, presenting symptoms, radiological and histological findings, management, and outcomes were evaluated RESULTS: Among 334 patients treated during the study period, eight (2.3 %) had metastases confirmed histopathologically, with one having a known malignant tumor history. Preoperative imaging suspected malignancy or metastasis in two cases. Diagnosis was unexpectedly confirmed in 57 % of cases. Subtotal resection was achieved in three cases, near-total resection in one. Mean follow-up was 2.4 years, with 71 % mortality CONCLUSIONS: The sellar region can manifest metastatic disease, with sellar symptoms potentially indicating neoplastic disease onset. Rapid hormonal dysfunction or ophthalmoplegia suggests metastasis, even without a known primary. Further meta analysis of reported cases is necessary to determine the incidence and optimal treatment of these rare metastases.

Neuro-ophthalmological findings of pituitary metastasis: Case series from a single center and review of the literature.

When pituitary metastasis (PM) invades the pituitary gland, it leads to impaired endocrine function and compression and infiltration of surrounding tissues, causing a series of clinical alterations. We presented seven patients with PM evaluated at neuro-ophthalmologic clinic and reviewed neuro-ophthalmological findings of 44 cases with PM in the English literature from 1979 to December 2022. The mean age at diagnosis was 58.1 years, and 45.1% were male. The mean latency period from primary cancer to the diagnosis of PM was 57.6 months. PM is the only presenting sign of malignancy in 11.8% of patients. The mean time from the visual disturbance to the diagnosis of PM was 96.3 days. Visual acuity decreased in 72.5% and 60.8% of cases with visual field defects. 74.2% exhibited a pattern of temporal field defect respecting the vertical meridian. Isolated ophthalmoplegia was found in 37.3% of patients. The most common ocular motor nerve palsy was unilateral III nerve palsy. Breast cancer was the most common primary malignancy. 84.6% entirely or partially relieved the neuro-ophthalmic symptoms after treatment. 51% of patients were alive during a mean follow-up period of 11 months. The mean survival duration was within six months in 65% of deceased patients. For elderly patients with a pituitary tumor, PM should be on the list of differential diagnoses for those with visual impairment, especially ocular motor nerve palsy, even if diabetic insipidus is not present, with or even without a history of malignancy, regardless of the primary tumor site.

Pituitary Metastasis of Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma Mimicking Pituitary Macroadenoma ­ Case Report / Metástase de carcinoma renal de células claras em sela túrcica simulando macroadenoma hipofisário ­ Relato de caso

Introduction Pituitary tumors account for 25% of all primary brain tumors and for 15% of overall intracranial expansive masses. Pituitary metastases, in contrast, are a rare condition, estimated as 1.8% of all resected sellar lesions. We present here a rare case of clear cell renal carcinoma metastasis to the pituitary gland. Case Report A 65-year-old patient with holocranial headache and diplopia, whose physical examination showed right eye abduction palsy and ipsilateral anisocoria. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary revealed a heterogeneous mass in T1 weighted imaging with mild peripheral contrast enhancement and considerable growth during follow-up. Prolactin levels were high and dropped to normal after use of cabergoline, but remained normal even after the medication was halted. Biopsy was compatible with clear cell renal carcinoma. After surgery, the patient underwent radiotherapy, which was effective in reducing the volume of the lesion. Discussion Only 25 cases of pituitary metastasis arising from the kidney were reported in the literature between the years of 1957 and 2018. Metastases can reach the pituitary through hematogenous spread, cerebrospinal fluid, and contiguous bony lesions. Clinical presentation varies from vague complaints such as fatigue or headache to more specific signs like polyuria and polydipsia, and 60% of cases have clinical manifestations. Conclusion Case reports of pituitary metastases are low worldwide, with only 25 case reports of kidney metastases in over a 60-year period. The rarity of the lesions and hormonal alterations due to pituitary stalk compression can mislead diagnosis, and some patients may even never be diagnosed regarding their lower life span. In this report, radiotherapy was effective postresection, and accounts for a treatment option. All these issues account for the relevance of these case reports.

Introdução Os tumores hipofisários representam 25% de todos os tumores cerebrais primários e 15% das massas expansivas intracranianas totais. As metástases hipofisárias, por outro lado, são uma condição rara, estimada em 1,8% de todas as lesões selares ressecadas. Apresentamos aqui um caso raro de metástase de carcinoma renal de células claras para a glândula pituitária. Relato de caso Paciente de 65 anos com cefaleia holocraniana e diplopia, cujo exame físico mostrou paralisia de abdução do olho direito e anisocoria ipsilateral. A ressonância magnética (RM) da hipófise revelou uma massa heterogênea na imagem ponderada em T1 com leve realce periférico de contraste e crescimento considerável durante o acompanhamento. Os níveis de prolactina estavam altos e caíram para o normal após o uso de cabergolina, mas permaneceram normais mesmo após a interrupção da medicação. A biópsia foi compatível com carcinoma renal de células claras. Após a cirurgia, o paciente foi submetido à radioterapia, que foi eficaz na redução do volume da lesão. Discussão Apenas 25 casos de metástase hipofisária originada do rim foram relatados na literatura entre os anos de 1957 e 2018. As metástases podem atingir a hipófise por meio de disseminação hematogênica, líquido cefalorraquidiano e lesões ósseas contíguas. A apresentação clínica varia de queixas vagas, como fadiga ou dor de cabeça, a sinais mais específicos, como poliúria e polidipsia, e 60% dos casos têm manifestações clínicas. Conclusão Os relatos de casos de metástases hipofisárias são baixos em todo o mundo, com apenas 25 relatos de casos de metástases renais em um período de mais de 60 anos. A raridade das lesões e alterações hormonais devido à compressão do pedúnculo hipofisário podem enganar o diagnóstico, e alguns pacientes podem nunca ser diagnosticados em relação à sua menor expectativa de vida. Neste relato, a radioterapia foi eficaz após a ressecção e representa uma opção de tratamento. Todas essas questões são responsáveis pela relevância desses relatos de caso.

A case of pituitary metastasis discovered when diabetes insipidus developed in a patient 20 years after breast cancer treatment.

The patient was a 52-year-old woman. She had a history of left breast cancer at age 32 years, with no recurrences. She was examined for a feeling of oral dryness and nocturia, and central diabetes insipidus was diagnosed. A mass was seen in the posterior pituitary on magnetic resonance imaging, and multiple pulmonary nodules were seen on computed tomography. Breast cancer metastases were diagnosed in both tissues. Since this patient had no cancer other than the breast cancer treated 20 years earlier, it was difficult to reach a diagnosis of pituitary metastasis with pituitary gland imaging alone. In estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, there may be recurrences after a long period of time. It may be that recommending a full body examination could be useful in the differential diagnosis of metastasis even in patients who have had a long disease-free period, if they had undergone surgery for breast cancer.

Pituitary metastasis from renal cell carcinoma presenting with significant hyperprolactinemia, case report.

Key Clinical Message: Kidney metastasis to the pituitary gland can cause hyperprolactinemia even above 250 ng/mL. Although the treatment of metastasis is palliative, surgical decompression could play a major role in the recovery of symptoms and improve quality of life. Pituitary metastasis should be considered in the evaluation of an unusual pituitary mass. Abstract: Pituitary tumors are frequently encountered in the neurosurgical setting. Although the majority of them are pituitary adenomas, rare entities encompass pituitary metastasis. They should be differentiated from pituitary adenomas because their management and prognosis are different. We report a 53-year-old female who complained of headache and had remarkable hyperprolactinemia (271.1 ng/mL). Having considered macroprolactinoma as the initial diagnosis, medical treatment was initiated with Cabergoline. Subsequently, the patient's vision deteriorated which prompted us to perform endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery. Histologic examination of the resected tumor revealed metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Main treatment for these subjects is palliative; and unlike the pituitary adenoma, the prognosis is unfortunately poor. Pituitary metastasis should be considered in the evaluation of an unusual pituitary mass associated with hyperprolactinemia.

Pituitary metastasis of salivary gland carcinoma mimicking hypophysitis: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Pituitary metastases from salivary gland carcinomas are rare. Moreover, pituitary metastasis and hypophysitis exhibit neuroimaging similarities that complicate the diagnosis in patients receiving immune checkpoint drugs. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a case of pituitary metastasis derived from a sublingual gland carcinoma; this case posed a challenge in the differential diagnosis of hypophysitis. A 52-year-old male patient presented with anorexia and visual disturbances. The patient was previously diagnosed with sublingual gland carcinoma that necessitated surgical intervention consisting of tumor resection and residual lymph node dissection. Subsequently, the patient underwent immune checkpoint blockade therapy following platinum-based chemotherapy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of an intrasellar tumor infiltrating the dura mater, cavernous sinus, and pituitary stalk with isointensity on T1 and T2 weighted images and homogeneous gadolinium enhancement. Despite the initial suspicion of hypophysitis, diagnostic treatment with systemic corticosteroids failed to induce significant tumor reduction. Diagnostic clarification was achieved via an endoscopic transsphenoidal biopsy, which confirmed the histological diagnosis of pituitary metastasis from the prior sublingual gland adenocarcinoma. Radiotherapy was administered as a therapeutic intervention. DISCUSSION: The case report highlighted the rarity of metastases from salivary gland carcinoma to the pituitary gland and emphasized the challenges in distinguishing between pituitary metastasis and hypophysitis based on imaging studies alone, particularly in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Given the rarity of this condition and its neuroimaging similarities with hypophysitis, pathological confirmation is imperative for a definitive diagnosis.

Pituitary Metastases From Differentiated Thyroid Cancers: A Systematic Review.

Background: Pituitary metastasis (PM) from differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is extremely rare and may adversely affect outcomes. We aimed to assess the characteristics and outcomes of patients with PM from DTC. Methods: We systematically reviewed the literature on publications on PM and the different DTC histologic types (papillary, follicular, and Hurthle cell cancers). Three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Scopus) were searched for articles published from 1967 to 2022. Survival time was estimated as the period from the first treatment of PM to the time of death or last follow-up. Results: Twenty-five articles comprising 27 cases that met the eligibility criteria were identified using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The median age of the patients was 60 years (23 - 86). A preponderance of females (66.7%) with PM most commonly reported papillary thyroid cancer (55.6%). This was followed by follicular thyroid cancer (37.0%) and Hurthle cell cancer (7.4%). The most common presentations were headache, nausea, and vomiting, with visual symptoms in 44.4%. Diabetes insipidus was an infrequent finding (7.4%). The median time from diagnosis or first treatment of DTC to the diagnosis of PM was 3 years (0 - 25). The most common endocrine abnormality was hyperprolactinemia (63.2%), while the most frequently deficient hormone was luteinizing hormone (50%). The most common treatment modality for PM was a combination of radiotherapy and surgery with or without radio-iodine. At the end of the follow-up, 30% of the patients died. Only 33.3% of the patients achieved complete resolution of symptoms. The overall median survival time was 12 months (3 - 108). There was a moderate inverse correlation between the age of patients and survival, which was, however, not statistically significant (rs = -0.45, P = 0.103). Conclusion: PM from DTC is extremely rare, and Hurtle cell cancer appears to be the least associated with PM. Diabetes insipidus is a rare initial manifestation of PM from DTC. Complete resolution of symptoms is less likely to be achieved in PM from DTC. Older age may confer an increased survival tendency, probably due to more intracranial space volume in older people compared to the younger population. Larger studies are needed to examine the relationship between age and survival in PM from DTC. Also, more observational data are required to determine the predictors of survival and compare the efficacy of the different treatment modalities in patients with PM from DTC.

Papillary Thyroid Cancer With Pituitary Gland Metastasis: A Unique Encounter.

The pituitary gland is a rare metastatic site, and thyroid cancer (TC) metastasis to the pituitary gland is immensely uncommon. We report the case of a 45-year-old male in whom pituitary metastasis (PM) discovery during the immediate postoperative period complicated the management of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). His postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary lesion showed a progression in size with persistent optic nerve compression. The critical location of the pituitary lesion and the rapid progression dictated the treatment course. The pituitary lesion was non-iodine avid, and thus we opted for external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). He received 1,200 centigray (cGy) with Gamma knife radiosurgery with steroid cover. In our case, the aggressive histological and clinical variant of PTC consisted of multiple metastatic sites involving large volume pulmonary, skeletal, and chest wall lesions coupled with crucial macro metastatic pituitary mass. The patient was offered radioactive iodine to treat other iodine avid metastases in the lungs and bones and was also offered EBRT to target skeletal lesions. Systemic treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitor was also discussed with the patient. Our case encourages clinicians to exercise vigilance and a high index of suspicion for PM when a patient with any pre-existing cancer presents with visual disturbance, cranial nerve deficit, or symptoms suggestive of hormonal deficiency. It also highlights the importance of involving endocrinologists before performing any surgery on the endocrine organs to ascertain the integrity of the endocrine function of the glands.

Metastatic Seeding From a Gastrointestinal Neoplasia in a Pituitary Adenoma: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Pituitary composite tumors consisting of metastasis within an adenoma are rare and aggressive entities. We present a case of esophageal adenocarcinoma metastasis at a prolactinoma presenting in a unique fashion and highlight how this case could contribute to a better understanding and early recognition of this condition. The patient was a 65-year-old male who presented with partial palsy of the third and sixth cranial nerves. He had a history of treated esophageal adenocarcinoma. He also had a known small parasellar lesion, with an elevated prolactin. Investigations showed a rapid progression of the parasellar lesion and normalization of prolactin. Partial surgical resection was performed, and pathology confirmed metastasis of the known digestive tract neoplasia. Although extremely rare, dual pathology of pituitary metastasis within adenomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sellar masses. Atypical behavior of benign adenomas, including rapid growth, spontaneous normalization of prolactin, or progression despite medical treatment should prompt medical teams to reconsider their diagnosis.

Contemporary Treatment Outcome of Metastases to the Pituitary Gland.

OBJECTIVE: Metastasis to the pituitary gland is uncommon. With life expectancy after cancer diagnosis improving, we sought to understand the effects of treating pituitary metastasis in the modern era of advanced cancer treatment. METHODS: Patients who had been diagnosed with, and treated for, pituitary metastasis from 2000 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients were identified, of whom 23 (48%) were women. The most common primary cancer was the lung (n = 23; 48%), followed by the breast (n = 9; 19%). Of the 48 patients, 29 (60%) had had hypopituitarism and 12 (25%), visual field deficits. Twenty-seven patients (56%) had had solitary pituitary metastasis, with no evidence of other intracranial metastatic lesions. Of the 48 patients, 14 (29%) had undergone surgery and 20 (42%) had undergone standalone radiation therapy (preceded by biopsy for 3). After surgery and/or radiation therapy, the visual field deficits had improved in 6 patients, hypopituitarism had improved in 4 patients, and hypopituitarism had occurred in 3 patients. The median overall survival (OS) was 12 months (interquartile range, 3.0-28 months). Multivariate analysis showed nonsolitary pituitary metastasis (hazard ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-5.5; P = 0.0021) and no surgery or radiation therapy (hazard ratio, 2.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-4.15; P = 0.038) were associated with OS. For those with solitary pituitary metastasis, the patients who had undergone surgery and/or radiation therapy had had better 1-year OS than patients who had not received either (P = 0.03). In contrast, for patients with nonsolitary pituitary metastasis, those who had undergone standalone radiation therapy had had better 1-year OS than the patients who had not received either (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In the selected population, metastasis-directed therapy was associated with improved OS. Either correct patient selection for additional therapy or surgery and/or radiation therapy directly benefited patients' OS.

Intracerebral and pituitary metastatic eccrine carcinoma: prolonged survival using stereotactic radiosurgery.

PURPOSE: Eccrine gland carcinoma (EC) is a rare skin neoplasm that uncommonly spreads to the brain or pituitary gland. We describe the role of multiple stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) procedures to manage recurrent brain metastases of this rare disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review was completed to obtain details for this report. The study was performed under IRB study on medical record only and was exempt from patient's consent. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A 59-year-old female underwent surgical excision of a right parietal scalp EC. Over the next 13 years, the patient underwent initial fractionated whole brain radiation therapy after she developed multiple brain metastases followed by systemic chemotherapy for extracranial disease. Because of repeated development of new brain disease, three SRS procedures were performed to treat a total of 50 brain metastases and a pituitary metastasis (PM). The patient expired from progressive systemic cancer spread 13 years after her initial surgical excision. Due to the rarity of metastatic EC to the brain, no standard treatment paradigm has emerged. Using multimodality options that included local excision of the original skin tumor, followed by radiation, systemic chemotherapy, and three SRS procedures, long-term survival was possible in this unusual case.

Apoplexy in pituitary metastasis revealing a lung carcinoma.

Pituitary metastasis (PM) is an uncommon manifestation of systemic malignant tumours. It is the least common site of intracranial metastases. As PM has no clinical or radiological pathognomonic features, their diagnosis is challenging. Herein, we present a rare case of a PM unveiling lung cancer. A 60-year-old male with no medical history of malignancy was admitted with a sudden headache, retro-orbital pain, and a severe loss of both eyes' visual acuity. After proper investigations and endoscopic resection of the sellar mass, the diagnosis was confirmed to be pituitary metastasis of lung carcinoma. PM can be the initial presentation of an otherwise unknown malignancy. Their diagnosis and management are complex and depend on many factors. Endoscopic surgical resection provides histopathological proof, helps with symptomatic relief, and improves the quality of life but has no effect on survival.

Multiple intracranial metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma in a pregnant young woman: A case report.

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in both men and women worldwide. Although its occurrence during pregnancy is rare, it is fast becoming an emerging issue globally. Lung cancer is exceedingly rare in young individuals but is distinct, with adenocarcinoma and stage IV presentation being the most common features. This study presents the case of a 30-year-old woman who came to the emergency department with headache, loss of sensation in the left side of the body, progressing diplopia, and diabetes insipidus that first appeared when the patient was 6-month pregnant. Clinical examination showed right cranial nerve III paresis, bitemporal hemianopsia, and left hemiparesis, while MRI indicated multiple intracranial metastases proven by pathology anatomy. This study highlights the role of imaging in assessing lung adenocarcinoma with intracranial metastasis in a young pregnant woman.

Collision of Two Tumors: A Case Report of a Lung Adenocarcinoma With Metastasis to a Pituitary Adenoma.

A collision tumor involving metastasis to a pituitary adenoma is rare. We describe a case of a 68-year-old Bidayuh woman with underlying treatment-responsive lung adenocarcinoma, who presented with mass effect, panhypopituitarism and polyuria. Her initial imaging study reported pituitary macroadenoma, and she was treated with hormone replacement therapy. She then underwent transsphenoidal tumor debulking surgery with subsequent histopathological findings of a collision tumor of an adenocarcinoma with metastasis to a non-functioning pituitary adenoma.

Secondary mutant ALK-I1171s in pituitary metastases from a patient with ALK fusion-positive advanced lung adenocarcinoma: A case report and literature review.

Background: Pituitary metastasis accounts for a very low percentage of cases of brain metastasis from lung cancer, and there are uncertainties and challenges in diagnosis and treatment. We hope to shed some light on the diagnosis and treatment by reporting a case of ALK fusion mutation-positive lung cancer pituitary metastasis. Case presentation: We report a 48-year-old female patient with an initial diagnosis of stage IVB lung adenocarcinoma with ALK fusion. The patient developed headache, dizziness, hypopituitarism and hyperprolactinemia one year after treatment with crizotinib. Later, the patient underwent neurosurgical resection of the pituitary tumor and then symptomatic relief. Postoperative pathology suggested pituitary metastasis, and the next-generation gene sequencing conducted on the pituitary metastasis indicated that secondary drug resistance mutation ALK-I1171s occurred after the ALK fusion gene. Conclusion: In this article, we present a patient with suspected pituitary metastases with lung cancer. The progression to pituitary mass resection and next-generation gene sequencing of the pituitary metastasis are suggestive for further diagnosis and treatment.

Early and isolated breast cancer metastasis to the pituitary: A case report and systematic review.

Background: Pituitary metastases (PMs) arising from breast cancer tend to occur many years following initial diagnosis, and after other systemic metastasis have been identified. Survival is generally considered to be poor. However, there are cases where patients present with an isolated metastatic lesion in the pituitary. Survival in this subset of patients has not been evaluated. We present a case of isolated PM that presented two years after initial diagnosis of breast cancer. We performed a systematic review of 38 breast cancer patients with PM. We report presentation, treatment strategy, and outcomes of breast cancer metastasis to the pituitary and highlight cases of isolated PM. Case Description: A 39 year old female presented with complaints of headache and polydipsia two years after diagnosis with breast cancer. Systemic workup was unremarkable, but brain imaging identified an isolated PM. Transsphenoidal debulking was performed with adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) targeted to the sellar region. Unfortunately, she passed away 9 months later from systemic progression. Conclusion: A total of 38 patients were included systematic review. Of these, 13 had isolated PM. Prevalent signs/ symptoms included visual disturbance, diabetes insipidus (DI), and hypothalamic dysfunction. Patients treated with surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy (ChT), or RT had better survival than those treated with resection alone. Patients that receive treatment for isolated PM may survive for many years without progression or recurrence.

Apoplexy in sellar metastasis from papillary thyroid cancer: A case report and literature review.

Background: Pituitary metastasis from papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is rare and only a few cases have been reported. Case Description: We report the case of a patient who presented with visual dysfunction and panhypopituitarism. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a pituitary tumor and hydrocephalus. Transsphenoidal surgery had been indicated, but his surgery had been postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic. During that waiting period, he showed pituitary apoplexy with consciousness disturbance, resulting in acute adrenal insufficiency and diabetes insipidus. He was urgently hospitalized and underwent transsphenoidal surgery. Rapid and permanent pathological examinations have confirmed metastasis of PTC to the pituitary. The patient also underwent serial thyroidectomy. He was also suspected to have secondary hydrocephalus and underwent lumboperitoneal shunting after excluding cerebrospinal fluid metastasis. Thereafter, his cognitive dysfunction and performance status improved dramatically. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first patient with PTC who developed pituitary apoplexy secondary to metastasis.

Isolated Pituitary Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Isolated pituitary gland metastasis is an extremely rare event in renal cell carcinoma. We present a unique case of isolated pituitary metastasis of renal cell carcinoma and a systematic review of literature on it. CASE REPORT: In this case, an abdominal ultrasound in an asymptomatic 51-year-old female patient showed a mass in her left kidney. Radical nephrectomy was performed and the tumor was diagnosed as a stage 1 clear cell carcinoma. Throughout the 3 months of the follow-up period, the patient started complaining of visual disturbances and headaches. A pituitary mass was found on brain magnetic resonance imaging and was suspected to be a macroadenoma. Surgical resection of the tumor was performed and the final pathological diagnosis was made as a pituitary metastasis of the renal cell carcinoma. After surgery, radiotherapy with sunitinib, a receptor tyrosine inhibitor, was performed. CONCLUSION: The clinical symptoms are usually related to the mass effect of the tumor and anterior pituitary involvement. Most of the cases mimic pituitary macroadenoma on MRI. The most preferred treatment combination is surgery and radiotherapy. We recommend adding sunitinib to this combination. This illustrative case and those found in a systematic review of the literature highlight the importance of histopathologic diagnosis and appropriate management since isolated pituitary metastasis is challenging to preoperative diagnosis.