Breast cancer metastatic to the pituitary gland: a case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Metastases 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 PRESENTATION: 72-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. CONCLUSION: This 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 difficult and controversial when relapse occurs at uncommon sites.