Management of coexisting thyrotropin/growth-hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma: a therapeutic challenge.

BACKGROUND

A thyrotropin (TSH)-secreting pituitary adenoma coexisting with differentiated thyroid carcinoma is rare. There have been only four previously reported cases; three were treated with thyroidectomy followed by pituitary resection and one was treated with thyroidectomy alone.

METHODS

We hereby report the fifth case, in which a patient presented with a TSH/growth-hormone-secreting pituitary macroadenoma coexisting with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

RESULTS

She underwent biochemical testing, ophthalmologic examination, thyroid ultrasonography, Tc-99m-pertechnetate thyroid scan, whole-body positron emission tomography, (111)In-octreotide scan, thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy, octreotide treatment, total thyroidectomy, recombinant human TSH radioactive iodine remnant ablation, and continued treatment with octreotide and levothyroxine after thyroidectomy. She has remained asymptomatic for 24 months without biochemical or radiological evidence of pituitary hormone oversecretion, pituitary adenoma enlargement, and PTC recurrence.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first case of a TSH/growth-hormone-secreting pituitary macroadenoma coexisting with PTC being successfully treated with octreotide and levothyroxine after thyroidectomy and recombinant human TSH-stimulated radioactive iodine remnant ablation.