Drop Metastasis of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone-Producing Pituitary Carcinoma to the Cauda Equina

The diagnosis of pituitary carcinoma cannot be made easily histologically, and most cases of pituitary carcinoma are diagnosed only after the clinical detection of metastasis. Distant metastasis of pituitary tumor occurs in 0.1% to 0.2% of cases and has been reported in the liver, bone and central nervous system, with only one case of metastasis to the cauda equine reported. This study describes a rare case of the drop metastasis of adrenocorticotropic hormone-producing pituitary adenocarcinoma to the cauda equina, causing cauda equina syndrome.

Temozolomide in aggressive pituitary adenomas and carcinomas

Temozolomide is an alkylating agent used in the treatment of gliomas and, more recently, aggressive pituitary adenomas and carcinomas. Temozolomide methylates DNA and, thereby, has antitumor effects. O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase, a DNA repair enzyme, removes the alkylating adducts that are induced by temozolomide, thereby counteracting its effects. A Medline search for all of the available publications regarding the use of temozolomide for the treatment of pituitary tumors was performed. To date, 46 cases of adenohypophysial tumors that were treated with temozolomide, including 30 adenomas and 16 carcinomas, have been reported. Eighteen of the 30 (60%) adenomas and 11 of the 16 (69%) carcinomas responded favorably to treatment. One patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 and an aggressive prolactin-producing adenoma was also treated and demonstrated a good response. No significant complications have been attributed to temozolomide therapy. Thus, temozolomide is an effective treatment for the majority of aggressive adenomas and carcinomas. Evidence indicates that there is an inverse correlation between levels of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase immunoexpression and therapeutic response. Alternatively, high-level O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase immunoexpression correlates with an unfavorable response. Here, we review the use of temozolomide for treating pituitary neoplasms.

Approach to the patient with pituitary carcinoma / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

One patient confirmed as pituitary carcinoma by histopathology was retrospectively analyzed according to the great changes of tumor invasive growth in imaging examine and clinical characters. Clinically,pituitary carcinoma quickly grows,and the growth character of tumor is helpful in the diagnosis. Moreover,the treatment for pituitary carcinoma is different from pituitary adenoma.The rapid progress of pituitary adenoma indicates the possibility of primary carcinoma.More experience should be accumulated for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Cushing's Disease Due to ACTH Producing Pituitary Carcinoma / 대한내분비학회지

Primary carcinoma of the pituitary is only rarely reported. About half of the reported cases are nonfunctional. It is generally agreed that the presence of distant metastasis is required to clearly establish the diagnosis of pituitary carcinoma. We have experienced a case of ACTH-producing pituitary carcinoma causing Cushing's syndrome which could be diagnosed by histologic features only without evidence of distant metastasis. A 35-year-old female with Cushingoid appearance was diagnosed as Cushing's disease after biochemical and neuroradiological evaluation. Near total removal of the pituitary tumor was performed. By histopathologic examination, the tumor revealed evidences of histological malignancy such as prominent nuclear pleomorphism, frequent mitoses and extensive tumor necrosis. Pseudosarcomatous components were also noted. By immunohistochemical studies, the tumor cells expressed ACTH. However, there was no evidence of distant metastasis at the initial operation. She was diagnosed as having ACTH producing pituitary carcinoma by histologic feature only. One month later, she complained progressive nausea and vomiting, and follow-up brain MRI revealed regrowing pituitary mass. She was reoperated and near total tumor bulk was removed again followed by radiotherapy with 5580 rads. Four month after the second operation, she developed generalized tonic clonic seizure. Brain CT showed multiple enhancing nodules on left temporal and frontal lobes, and around falx cerebri. She refused further treatment and was managed only with anticonvalsants. About month after discharge she died at home.