Breast cancer metastatic to the pituitary gland: a case report

Abstract

BackgroundMetastases to the pituitary gland are rare events, and usually indicate widespread malignant disease. The lung and the breast are the most common sites of primary tumors that metastasize to the pituitary gland.Metastases are more frequent in older patients and the most common symptoms at presentation are diabetes insipidus and visual alterations.Case presentation72-year-old white woman was treated for a breast carcinoma with right superoexternal quadrantectomy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy. Twelve years later, the patient presented with bone pain, bilateral progressive visual decline, and onset of hypopituitarism. A diagnosis of secondary bone involvement and pituitary metastasis was made.ConclusionThis was an unusual disease course, and stresses the importance of intensive follow-up in patients with breast cancer even many years after the initial diagnosis This case emphasizes that diagnosis can be difficultand controversial when relapse occurs at uncommon sites.

Metastatic Breast Carcinoma to the Pituitary Gland that Presented as Diabetes Insipidus: A Case Report

“…The possible mechanisms for development of these metastases are the following: a) Hematogenous spread b) Direct extension from an adjacent affected bone c) Meningeal spread through the suprasellar cistern [10,12,17].…”

“…Metastases to the pituitary gland are considered unusual [2], representing 1% of the tumors in the pituitary gland, and 3-5% of patients with carcinoma [10,16]. Several tumors can metastasize in the pituitary gland, but the most common primary sites are lung and breast [3,4,12].…”

“…Metastases to the pituitary gland as the first manifestation of the disease are uncommon [8,9] and maybe the only site of metastases [10,11]. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish between malignant and benign lesions in the pituitary gland.…”

Pituitary metastatic lesion. Features of diagnosis and surgical interventions

“…У зв'язку із удосконаленням методів діагностики та лікування збільшується тривалість життя онкологічних хворих. Наслідком цього є більше виявлення метастазів злоя-кісних пухлин, зокрема в головний мозок [4,5,7]. Так, поширення метастазування раку в головний мозок становить від 10 до 30 випадків на 100 тис.…”

Pituitary Metastasis From Breast Cancer Presenting as SIADH

“…Patients can present with symptoms consistent with hypopituitarism and optic nerve compression causing headaches, visual field deficits, diabetes insipidus, hypoglycemia and electrolyte derangement [1][2][3]. More commonly, PM affects the elderly with multiple sites of disease; however, occasionally it is the first site of disease [1].…”