Adrenal failure due to metastasis both to the hypothalamic-pituitary area and the adrenals

Tumori. 1996 Jul-Aug;82(4):401-4. doi: 10.1177/030089169608200422.

Abstract

A 61-year-old white male was admitted to our hospital with a big-cell bronchogenic carcinoma whose first clinical manifestation was diabetes insipidus (DI) secondary to metastasis to the hypothalamic-pituitary area (MHP). In three months, and progressively, he developed anterior pituitary failure, as well as primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) due to metastasis in both adrenals. Panhypopituitarism or PAI due to both MHP and adrenals has been rarely reported in the literature. A thorough examination of the oncologic patient led us to diagnose hormone insufficiency properly. The absence of reported cases might be due to the fact that the symptoms resulting from hormone insufficiency are veiled by the severe condition of the patients suffering from disseminated cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / blood
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / complications*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / blood
  • Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / complications*
  • Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / secondary
  • Hormones / deficiency*
  • Humans
  • Hypopituitarism / etiology*
  • Hypothalamic Neoplasms / blood
  • Hypothalamic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Hypothalamic Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lung Neoplasms / blood
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / blood
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / complications*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / secondary

Substances

  • Hormones