Pituitary lesions in breast cancer patients: A report of three cases

Fortunati,Nicoletta; Felicetti,Francesco; Donadio,Michela; Grossi,Emidio; Michelon,Federica; Ritorto,Giuliana; Arvat,Emanuela; Brignardello,Enrico

doi:10.3892/ol.2015.3149

June-2015 Volume 9 Issue 6

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June-2015 Volume 9 Issue 6

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Article

Pituitary lesions in breast cancer patients: A report of three cases

Authors:
- Nicoletta Fortunati
- Francesco Felicetti
- Michela Donadio
- Emidio Grossi
- Federica Michelon
- Giuliana Ritorto
- Emanuela Arvat
- Enrico Brignardello
View Affiliations / Copyright

Affiliations: Transition Unit for Childhood Cancer Survivors, Department of Oncology, Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin 10126, Italy, Breast Unit, Department of Oncology, Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin 10126, Italy, Oncological Endocrinology Unit, Department of Oncology, Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin 10126, Italy
Pages: 2762-2766
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Published online on: April 24, 2015

https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2015.3149
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Abstract

Pituitary metastases occur in 6-8% of breast cancer cases, but are seldom diagnosed and rarely reported. Therefore, it can be challenging to establish a clinical differential diagnosis, and at present, a definitive criteria is not available. The present study discusses the pituitary lesions identified in three patients with breast cancer, and describes their management within the collaborative framework of the Breast Unit at the Città della Salute Hospital, which also included assessment by endocrinologists. The patients were evaluated for anterior and posterior pituitary function, the appearance of the pituitary upon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the oncology status and treatment. In addition, successive analysis of prolactin levels and the MRI was performed. The patients, aged 75, 83 and 76 years old, differed in their clinical presentation and successive evolution. One patient demonstrated an abrupt onset of diabetes insipidus, the second exhibited overt hypopituitarism and the final patient had a pituitary mass discovered by chance. Cases one and three exhibited systemic spread of the breast cancer, with bone and/or parenchymal metastasis, but not brain metastasis. Case two presented with a secondary pituitary tumour alone. In case three, a secondary nature to the pituitary lesion was unlikely, since there was no lesion evolution evident following MRI and as stable prolactin levels were observed over the course of the study period. By contrast, case one presented with a rapid increase of sellar lesions on MRI, together with a progressive rise in prolactin levels. Taking into account the frailty of breast cancer patients who are monitored for disease progression, management in a collaborative framework, such as at the Breast Unit, makes it possible to establish a diagnosis of sellar lesions, which is adequate for the comprehensive management of the patient with successive pituitary MRIs and prolactin evaluations, and avoids unnecessary invasive neurosurgery.

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Pituitary lesions in breast cancer patients: A report of three cases

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