[Panhypopituitarism secondary to pituitary metastases].

BACKGROUND

Hypophyseal metastatic localizations are uncommon and rarely the first expression of a primary cancer. We report an exceptional case revealed by panhypopituitarism and diabetes insipidis.

CASE REPORT: Brain MRI visualized an intra- and suprasellar tumoral formation found to be a cribiform adenocarcinoma. The primary tumor could not be identified. Despite radiotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy combining carboplatin and etoposide, the tumor progressed with the development of cervical and mediastinal nodes. The patient died one year after onset of the clinical signs.

DISCUSSION: Diagnosis of hypophyseal metastasis is mainly based on indirect evidence: rapid course, invasion of neighboring structures. Optimal management of these rare tumors remains to be determined.