Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Presenting as Impotence

Abstract

We describe a patient who initially presented with impotence followed by progressive lethargy and visual disturbances. Endocrine and radiological evaluation was suggestive of pituitary adenoma but pathological evaluation after transsphenoidal hypophysectomy revealed renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the pituitary. The etiology of this unusual presentation and prior reports of renal cell carcinoma spread to the pituitary are reviewed.