Colorectal carcinoma to pituitary tumour: tumour to tumour metastasis

Abstract

We document a patient with colon adenocarcinoma who presented with rapidly worsening visual impairment. Staging computer tomography and subsequent magnetic resonance scans documented a sellar, suprasellar lesion compressing the optic chiasm. The patient underwent trans-sphenoidal surgery to relieve optic chiasm compression and obtain tissue for diagnosis. Histological examination revealed a metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma in a gonadotroph pituitary neuroendocrine tumour (PitNET, formerly pituitary adenoma). The patient underwent adjuvant radiotherapy to the sella and chemotherapy but he died nine months after pituitary surgery. This report highlights the diagnostic and management challenges of metastases to PitNET.