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Pituitary gland metastases from renal cell carcinoma: A case report and literature update

Domenico Murrone

Department of Neurosurgery, “San Salvatore” City Hospital, Italy

E-mail : doflamingo82@gmail.com

Francesco Amedeo Abbate

Department of Neurosurgery, “San Salvatore” City Hospital, Italy

Danilo De Paulis

Department of Neurosurgery, “San Salvatore” City Hospital, Italy

Renato Juan Galzio

Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Italy

DOI: 10.15761/ICST.1000142

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Abstract

Pituitary metastases are rare and metastatic pituitary lesions secondary of renal carcinoma are extremely rare. These lesions can be mistaken for pituitary adenomas and diagnosis can be very difficult. We report a 67-year-old Italian female complained of headache and visual impairment resulting from a sellar lesion with suprasellar extension. A transsphenoidal biopsy was performed and histological examination revealed a metastasis of renal cell carcinoma. Few casesof this type of pituitary metastasis is described and every treatment is palliative for the life of such patient. We updateliterature and discuss the clinical and radiological features and treatment of this case.

Key words

pituitary metastases, renal cell carcinoma, pituitary gland, trans-sphenoidal biopsy

Abbreviations

CT: Computed Tomography, MRI: Magnetic Resonance

Introduction

Metastatic tumors involving the pituitary gland account for 1% of all pituitary tumor resections and for 1% to 25% at

autopsy. Any malignant tumour can metastasize to the pituitary gland, but breast and lung cancer are the most prevalent,

accounting for two thirds of the cases [1-3]. McCormik described a surgical series of 780 cases of trans-sphenoidal surgery with only six cases (0,8%) of pituitary secondary lesions [4]. Metastasis of renal cell carcinoma is extremely rare. Komninos reported a series of 360 cases in which 2.6% of metastatic pituitary lesions were secondary spread of renal carcinoma [5]. We present a case of a renal carcinoma metastatic to the pituitary gland and an updated review of the literature, discussing clinical and radiological characteristics of these lesions.

Case report

We present a 67-year-old Italian female complained of severe headache and visual impairment. For increasing of headache she was transferred to our department. There was no history of trauma or other systemic disease. Ophtalmological examination revealed deteriorating right vision and bitemporal hemianopsy. Ocular motion was normal and there was neither paresis nor sensory disturbance of the extremities. Endocrinological study indicated panhypopituitarism. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed on T1-weighted image an isointense intrasellar mass

with suprasellar extension (Figure 1), which compression of the optic chiasm and heterogeneous enhancement after administration of gadolinium. MR angiogram detected displacement of the carotid siphon bilaterally with normal signal intensity of flow. Computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated clear demineralization and ballooning of the sellar floor and upper clivus (Figure 2). The patient underwent a trans-sphenoidal tumor biopsy (Figure 3A-3C). Histological examination revealed a metastasis of renal cell carcinoma. Post-operatively CT scan abdomen revealed renal mass without signs of other metastatic site. She underwent a right radical nephrectomy, radiotherapy with local irradiation of 41 Grey to the pituitary region and replacement hormonal therapy (Table 1).

Table 1. Reported cases of pituitary metastases from renal cell carcinoma

Author (Year)

Age/Sex

Symptom

Endocrinological finding

Radiological finding

Other metastases

Anniko et al. [6]

59/M

Weakness,

impotence,

visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

Bony destruction

Controlateral kidney

Buonaguidi et al. [1]

53/M

Weakness,

visual impairment

Hypopituitarism,

diabete insipidus

Bony destruction,

enhanced

NR

James et al. [2]

75/M

Visual impairment

Normal

Bony destruction,

enhanced

NR

Eick et al. [10]

66/M

Weakness

Hypopituitarism

enhanced

NR

Horikoshi et al. [12]

51/M

Headache,

visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

Bony destruction,

enhanced

Lung

McCormick et al. [4]

35/F

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

Bony destruction,

enhanced

NR

Koshiyama et al. [13]

57/M

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism,

diabete insipidus

enhanced

Pancreas

Nishio [16]

63/F

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

enhanced

NR

Weiss et al. [21]

59/M

Lethargy, impotence, visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

Bony destruction,

enhanced

NR

Uchino et al. [18]

63/F

Visual impairment

NR

enhanced

NR

Beckett et al. [8]

56/M

Headache,

Horner’s syndrome

Hypopituitarism

enhanced

NR

Marar et al. [15]

54/M

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

NR

NR

73/M

Asymptomatic

hypopituitarism

NR

NR

Weil [20]

53/M

Headache,

impotence,

3th nerve palsy,

visual impairment

Hypopituitarism,

diabete insipidus

enhanced

NR

Weber et al. [19]

62/F

Headache, Visual impairment

Normal

enhanced

NR

Djimi et al. [9]

45/M

Visual impairment

Normal

enhanced

Lung

Basaria et al. [7]

77/F

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

NR

NR

Yokoyama et al. [3]

63/M

Headache,

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism,

diabete insipidus

Bony destruction,

enhanced

Lung

Pallud et al. [17]

70/M

Visual impairment

NR

NR

NR

Liu et al. [14]

54/M

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism,

diabete insipidus

Bony destruction,

enhanced

NR

Gopan et al. [11]

67/M

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism,

diabete insipidus

NR

NR

51/M

Visual impairment

hypopituitarism

NR

NR

53/M

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism,

diabete insipidus

NR

NR

67/F

Asymptomatic

Hypopituitarism

NR

NR

61/F

Asymptomatic

Hypopituitarism

NR

NR

Present case

67/F

Headache,

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

Bony destruction,

enhanced

Absent

Figure 1: Axial (A), sagittal (B) and coronal (C) T1 weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images showing an isointense intrasellar mass with suprasellar extension.

Figure 2: Axial (A), sagittal (B) and coronal (C) computed tomography (CT) scans demonstrating bony destruction of thehypophyseal fossa and upper clivus.

Figure 3: A) Sagittal T1 weighted MR image with gadolinium revealing marked contrast enhancement of the tumor

without identifiable normal pituitary gland. B)Post-contrast axial T1 weighted MR angiogram showing displacement of the carotid siphon bilaterally with normal signal intensity of flow B) Intra-operative photograph of intrasellare mass.

Discussion

Symptomatic pituitary metastasis of renal cell carcinoma is very rare and only 25 cases have been described [1-4,6-21]. Only 7% of pituitary metastases are symptomatic [13,19,22]. Clinically diabete insipidus and visual field impairment are more frequent in pituitary metastasis than in pituitary adenoma, for involving of the posterior lobe of gland and the optic chiasm [6,16,20]. Gopan suggested pituitary metastases from renal cell carcinoma behave differently from other metastatic malignancies, more commonly involving the anterior pituitary [11]. In these cases hypopituitarism is more frequent than diabete insipidus. Cranial neuropathy can be present [8,12,15,20]. Radiological findings of pituitary metastases are very similar to those of primary pituitary tumor. On CT scan there are not important differences. MRI is not specific for pituitary metastases but particular signs, as isointensity on both T1 and T2 weighted images and loss of high intensity signal from posterior lobe of gland, can be suggestive [4,6,7,9,10,16-18,21].

Liu et al discovered that in many cases of pituitary metastasis there are a strong enhancement of the mass and a bone

destruction without marked sellar enlargement [14]. McCutcheon et al. discovered that increased signal intensity in the contiguous hypothalamus on T2-weighted MR images is frequently observed in these metastases [23]. Thickening of the pituitary stalk, sclerosis of the surrounding sellaturcica and invasion of the cavernous sinus may indicate a secondary lesion [24]. In some cases the diagnosis of the primary neoplasm was performed after the diagnosis of pituitary lesion. Rarely is it possible a total or subtotal surgical removal of the mass, while it is always recommended diagnostic biopsy. Chemotherapeutic agents like sorafenib and sunitinib can be useful [11]. The long-term benefit of postoperative radiotherapy is not known due to the rarity of such cases while stereotactic

radiotherapy can be beneficial in sparing the optic nerves [22].

Conclusion

Pituitary metastases from renal cell carcinoma are very rare and may be difficult to diagnose. Clinical and radiological

features may be suggestive. These lesions usually occur in highly disseminated renal cell carcinoma and every treatment can contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of such patients.

Consent

2021 Copyright OAT. All rights reserv

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying

images.

References

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  2. James RL Jr, Arsenis G, Stoler M, Nelson C, Baran D (1984) Hypophyseal metastatic renal cell carcinoma and pituitary adenoma. Case report and review of the literature. Am J Med 76: 337-340. [Crossref]
  3. Yokoyama T, Yoshino A, Katayama Y, Watanabe T, Kashima Y, et al. (2004) Metastatic pituitary tumor from renal cell carcinoma treated by fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy--case report. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 44: 47-52. [Crossref]
  4. McCormick PC, Post KD, Kandji AD, Hays AP (1989) Metastatic carcinoma to the pituitary gland. Br J Neurosurg 3: 71-79. [Crossref]
  5. Komninos J, Vlassopoulou V, Protopapa D, Korfias S, Kontogeorgos G, et al. (2004) Tumors metastatic to the pituitary gland: case report and literature review. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 89: 574-580. [Crossref]
  6. Anniko M, Lundquist PG, Silfverswärd C, Wersäll J (1981) Hypernephroma metastasis in the pituitary gland. A case report. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 232: 227-232. [Crossref]
  7. Basaria S, Westra WH, Brem H, Salvatori R (2004) Metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the pituitary presenting with hyperprolactinemia. J Endocrinol Invest 27: 471-474. [Crossref]
  8. Beckett DJ, Gama R, Wright J, Ferns GA (1998) Renal carcinoma presenting with adrenocortical insufficiency due to a pituitary metastasis. Ann Clin Biochem 35 : 542-544. [Crossref]
  9. Djimi H, Donnio A, Ayeboua L, Vally P, Olindo S, et al. (2003) Hypophysis metastasis of a hypernephroma tumor revealed by a chiasma syndrome. J Fr Ophtalmol 26: 976-979. [Crossref]
  10. Eick JJ, Bell KA, Stephan MT, Fuselier HA Jr (1985) Metastatic renal cell carcinoma presenting as an intrasellar mass on computerized tomography. J Urol 134: 128-130. [Crossref]
  11. Gopan T, Toms SA, Prayson RA, Suh JH, Hamrahian AH, et al. (2007) Symptomatic pituitary metastases from renal cell carcinoma. Pituitary 10: 251-259. [Crossref]
  12. Horikoshi T, Mitsuka S, Kimura R, Fukamachi A, Nukui H (1988) Renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the hypophysis--case report. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 28: 78-82. [Crossref]
  13. Koshiyama H, Ohgaki K, Hida S, Takasu K, Yumitori K, et al. (1992) Metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the pituitary gland presenting with hypopituitarism. J Endocrinol Invest 15: 677-681. [Crossref]
  14. Liu H, Yamaki T, Oka S, Koyanagi I, Houkin K (2005) Metastatic renal cell carcinoma mimicking pituitary adenoma: case report. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 45: 418-422. [Crossref]
  15. Marar IE, Kandil H, Kanal E, Marion D, Inman M, et al. (1998) Renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the pituitary gland: clinical manifestations and successful treatment with transsphenoidal resection. Endocr Pract 4: 204-207. [Crossref]
  16. Nishio S, Tsukamoto H, Fukui M, Matsubara T (1992) Hypophyseal metastatic hypernephroma mimicking a pituitary adenoma. Case report. Neurosurg Rev 15: 319-322. [Crossref]
  17. Pallud J, Nataf F, Roujeau T, Roux FX (2005) Intraventricular haemorrhage from a renal cell carcinoma pituitary metastasis. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 147: 1003-1004. [Crossref]
  18. Uchino A, Hasuo K, Mizushima A, Matsumoto S, Mihara F, et al. (1996) Intracranial metastasis of renal cell carcinoma: MR imaging. Radiat Med 14: 71-76. [Crossref]
  19. Weber J, Gassel AM, Hoch A, Spring A (2003) Concomitant renal cell carcinoma with pituitary adenoma. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 145: 227-231. [Crossref]
  20. Weil RJ (2002) Pituitary metastasis. Arch Neurol 59: 1962-1963. [Crossref]
  21. Weiss RE, Corvalan AH, Dillon RW (1993) Metastatic renal cell carcinoma presenting as impotence. J Urol 149: 821-822. [Crossref]
  22. Morita A, Meyer FB, Laws ER Jr (1998) Symptomatic pituitary metastases. J Neurosurg 89: 69-73. [Crossref]
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Editorial Information

Editor-in-Chief

Masayoshi Yamaguchi
Emory University School of Medicine

Article Type

Case Report

Publication history

Received: August 02, 2015
Accepted: August 25, 2015
Published: August 27, 2015

Copyright

©2015 Murrone D. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Citation

Murrone D, Abbate FA, De Paulis D, Galzio RJ (2015) Pituitary gland metastases from renal cell carcinoma: A case report and literature update. Integr Cancer Sci Therap. 2: DOI: 10.15761/ICST.1000142

Corresponding author

Domenico Murrone

Department of Neurosurgery, “San Salvatore” City Hospital, via Vetoio, Coppito, L’Aquila 67100, Italy.

E-mail : doflamingo82@gmail.com

Table 1. Reported cases of pituitary metastases from renal cell carcinoma

Author (Year)

Age/Sex

Symptom

Endocrinological finding

Radiological finding

Other metastases

Anniko et al. [6]

59/M

Weakness,

impotence,

visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

Bony destruction

Controlateral kidney

Buonaguidi et al. [1]

53/M

Weakness,

visual impairment

Hypopituitarism,

diabete insipidus

Bony destruction,

enhanced

NR

James et al. [2]

75/M

Visual impairment

Normal

Bony destruction,

enhanced

NR

Eick et al. [10]

66/M

Weakness

Hypopituitarism

enhanced

NR

Horikoshi et al. [12]

51/M

Headache,

visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

Bony destruction,

enhanced

Lung

McCormick et al. [4]

35/F

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

Bony destruction,

enhanced

NR

Koshiyama et al. [13]

57/M

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism,

diabete insipidus

enhanced

Pancreas

Nishio [16]

63/F

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

enhanced

NR

Weiss et al. [21]

59/M

Lethargy, impotence, visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

Bony destruction,

enhanced

NR

Uchino et al. [18]

63/F

Visual impairment

NR

enhanced

NR

Beckett et al. [8]

56/M

Headache,

Horner’s syndrome

Hypopituitarism

enhanced

NR

Marar et al. [15]

54/M

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

NR

NR

73/M

Asymptomatic

hypopituitarism

NR

NR

Weil [20]

53/M

Headache,

impotence,

3th nerve palsy,

visual impairment

Hypopituitarism,

diabete insipidus

enhanced

NR

Weber et al. [19]

62/F

Headache, Visual impairment

Normal

enhanced

NR

Djimi et al. [9]

45/M

Visual impairment

Normal

enhanced

Lung

Basaria et al. [7]

77/F

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

NR

NR

Yokoyama et al. [3]

63/M

Headache,

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism,

diabete insipidus

Bony destruction,

enhanced

Lung

Pallud et al. [17]

70/M

Visual impairment

NR

NR

NR

Liu et al. [14]

54/M

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism,

diabete insipidus

Bony destruction,

enhanced

NR

Gopan et al. [11]

67/M

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism,

diabete insipidus

NR

NR

51/M

Visual impairment

hypopituitarism

NR

NR

53/M

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism,

diabete insipidus

NR

NR

67/F

Asymptomatic

Hypopituitarism

NR

NR

61/F

Asymptomatic

Hypopituitarism

NR

NR

Present case

67/F

Headache,

Visual impairment

Hypopituitarism

Bony destruction,

enhanced

Absent

Figure 1: Axial (A), sagittal (B) and coronal (C) T1 weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images showing an isointense intrasellar mass with suprasellar extension.

Figure 2: Axial (A), sagittal (B) and coronal (C) computed tomography (CT) scans demonstrating bony destruction of thehypophyseal fossa and upper clivus.

Figure 3: A) Sagittal T1 weighted MR image with gadolinium revealing marked contrast enhancement of the tumor

without identifiable normal pituitary gland. B)Post-contrast axial T1 weighted MR angiogram showing displacement of the carotid siphon bilaterally with normal signal intensity of flow B) Intra-operative photograph of intrasellare mass.