Renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the pituitary gland: clinical manifestations and successful treatment with transsphenoidal resection.

OBJECTIVE

To describe two cases of metastatic involvement of the pituitary gland by renal cell carcinoma (RCCA) and review the medical literature regarding this entity.

METHODS

We present two case reports and discuss the published literature to illustrate the clinical findings, radiographic features, and recommended management of RCCA metastatic to the pituitary gland.

RESULTS

During a 12-month period, we encountered two patients, one with visual deficits and both with anterior pituitary dysfunction, who had large sellar lesions that were histologically proved to be RCCA. Both patients were successfully treated with transsphenoidal surgical resection of the lesion, one of whom is alive and well more than 2 years later. A pituitary metastatic tumor is an uncommon complication of RCCA; it may be difficult to diagnose and potentially fatal. Anterior pituitary dysfunction and visual disturbances are more common initial features than is diabetes insipidus, in contrast to pituitary metastatic involvement from other tumors.

CONCLUSION

Transsphenoidal resection is a safe and effective method of treatment of RCCA metastatic to the pituitary gland.