Small cell lung cancer metastasis in the pituitary gland presenting with seizures and headache

J Clin Neurosci. 2011 Mar;18(3):420-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2010.05.006. Epub 2011 Jan 14.

Abstract

We report an adult female with a small cell lung cancer (SCLC) pituitary metastasis who presented with seizures and headache. While headache is a common presentation of pituitary metastases, seizures have been very rarely reported. The patient was found on MRI to have a suprasellar tumor with pituitary infundibulum involvement. She underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal resection of the tumor which was shown to be metastatic SCLC. Subsequent imaging revealed widespread systemic metastases. The patient subsequently underwent chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Female
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypophysectomy
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / complications
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / complications
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / secondary*
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / surgery
  • Smoking / adverse effects