Diagnosis and Treatment > Medication > Dopamine agonists
You are looking at 1 - 10 of 25 items
Search for other papers by Anna Popławska-Kita in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Marta Wielogórska in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Łukasz Poplawski in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Katarzyna Siewko in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Agnieszka Adamska in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Piotr Szumowski in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Piotr Myśliwiec in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Janusz Myśliwiec in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Joanna Reszeć in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Grzegorz Kamiński in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Janusz Dzięcioł in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Dorota Tobiaszewska in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Małgorzata Szelachowska in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Adam Jacek Krętowski in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Papillary thyroid gland carcinoma is the most common type of malignancy of the endocrine system. Metastases to the pituitary gland have been described as a complication of papillary thyroid cancer in few reported cases since 1965. We report the case of a 68-year-old female patient with a well-differentiated form of thyroid gland cancer. Despite it being the most common malignant cancer of the endocrine system, with its papillary form being one of the two most frequently diagnosed thyroid cancers, the case we present is extremely rare. Sudden cardiac arrest during ventricular fibrillation occurred during hospitalization. Autopsy of the patient revealed papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, follicular variant, with metastasis to the sella turcica, and concomitant sarcoidosis of heart, lung, and mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. Not only does atypical metastasis make our patient’s case most remarkable, but also the postmortem diagnosis of sarcoidosis makes her case particularly unusual.
Learning points:
-
The goal of presenting this case is to raise awareness of the clinical heterogeneity of papillary cancer and promote early diagnosis of unexpected metastasis and coexisting diseases to improve clinical outcomes.
-
Clinicians must be skeptical. They should not fall into the trap of diagnostic momentum or accept diagnostic labels at face value. Regardless of the potential mechanisms, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of the coexistence of thyroid cancer and sarcoidosis as a differential diagnosis of lymphadenopathy.
-
This case highlights the importance of the diagnostic and therapeutic planning process and raises awareness of the fact that one uncommon disease could be masked by another extremely rare disorder.
Search for other papers by L I Astaf’eva in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Y G Sidneva in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by B A Kadashev in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by P L Kalinin in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by G A Melnichenko in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by S A Agadzhanian in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
A 32-year-old woman presented with primary amenorrhoea, prolactin (PRL) level of 154 150 mIU/L and was diagnosed with a giant pituitary adenoma measuring maximum 6.2 cm. Cabergoline (CAB) treatment at a dose of 0.5 mg/week was prescribed to the patient. The treatment decreased the tumour size after 3 months (MRI scans of the brain) and brought back to normal the level of the PRL (345 mIU/L) after 6 months of CAB treatment. After 7 months of CAB treatment, menarche was achieved, and after 12 months, the patient became pregnant. She discontinued taking CAB at 4-week gestation. The pregnancy resulted in a missed miscarriage at 6–7 weeks; an abortion was conducted by the vacuum aspiration method. The MRI scans of the brain did not show any tumour enlargement. After 18 months from the start of the treatment the patient got pregnant for the second time. At 25-week gestation an MRI scan of the brain was conducted which did not show any increase in the tumour size. At 38 weeks the patient delivered a healthy full-term girl via C-section. The patient chose not to breastfeed and resumed CAB therapy after the delivery. During the treatment, the PRL level returned to the normal range and the menstrual cycle was restored. After 3 years the patient got pregnant for the third time. The patient did not receive CAB during the pregnancies; the examination did not show any tumour enlargement. Further MRI scans did not show any tumour growth. CAB therapy was effective in normalization of the PRL level, tumour shrinkage, menarche and pregnancy-induction which led to the birth of healthy children in a woman with primary amenorrhoea and a giant prolactinoma invading the skull base bones.
Learning points:
-
Giant prolactinomas are very rarely found in women.
-
Cabergoline therapy can be effective in the normalization of the PRL level, tumour shrinkage, menarche induction in a woman with primary amenorrhoea, and giant prolactinoma.
-
Cabergoline therapy can be effective in pregnancy induction which leads to the birth of children in a woman with giant prolactinoma.
-
Cabergoline discontinuation did not trigger tumour enlargement during pregnancy.
Search for other papers by Sakshi Jhawar in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Rahul Lakhotia in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Mari Suzuki in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by James Welch in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Sunita K Agarwal in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by John Sharretts in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Maria Merino in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Mark Ahlman in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Jenny E Blau in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by William F Simonds in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Jaydira Del Rivero in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by parathyroid, anterior pituitary and enteropancreatic endocrine cell tumors. Neuroendocrine tumors occur in approximately in 5–15% of MEN1 patients. Very few cases of ovarian NETs have been reported in association with clinical MEN1 and without genetic testing confirmation. Thirty-three-year-old woman with MEN1 was found to have right adnexal mass on computed tomography (CT). Attempt at laparoscopic removal was unsuccessful, and mass was removed via a minilaparotomy in piecemeal fashion. Pathology showed ovarian NET arising from a teratoma. Four years later, patient presented with recurrence involving the pelvis and anterior abdominal wall. She was treated with debulking surgery and somatostatin analogs (SSAs). Targeted DNA sequencing analysis on the primary adnexal mass as well as the recurrent abdominal wall tumor confirmed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the MEN1 gene locus. This case represents to our knowledge, the first genetically confirmed case of ovarian NET arising by a MEN1 mechanism in a patient with MEN1. Extreme caution should be exercised during surgery as failure to remove an ovarian NET en masse can result in peritoneal seeding and recurrence. For patients with advanced ovarian NETs, systemic therapy options include SSAs, peptide receptor radioligand therapy (PRRT) and novel agents targeting mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Learning points:
-
Ovarian NET can arise from a MEN1 mechanism, and any adnexal mass in a MEN1 patient can be considered as a possible malignant NET.
-
Given the rarity of this disease, limited data are available on prognostication and treatment. Management strategies are extrapolated from evidence available in NETs from primaries of other origins.
-
Care should be exercised to remove ovarian NETs en bloc as failure to do so may result in peritoneal seeding and recurrence.
-
Treatment options for advanced disease include debulking surgery, SSAs, TKIs, mTOR inhibitors, PRRT and chemotherapy.
Specialist Medicine, Manchester University Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
Search for other papers by Ellena Cotton in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by David Ray in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
A young woman carrying germline DICER1 mutation was discovered to have a pituitary microprolactinoma when she became amenorrhoic. The mutation was identified as a result of family screening following the early death of the patient’s daughter with ovarian cancer. The patient was in follow-up screening for thyroid disease, and investigations were initiated when she became amenorrhoic. MR scan revealed a 6 mm diameter pituitary microadenoma and raised prolactin. The prolactin was efficiently suppressed with low-dose cabergoline, and her menstrual cycles resumed. Dicer is an RNase enzyme, which is essential for processing small non-coding RNAs. These molecules play pleiotropic roles in regulating gene expression, by targeting mRNA sequences for degradation. DICER1 plays different roles depending on cell context, but is thought to be a functional tumour suppressor gene. Accordingly, germline mutation in one DICER1 allele is insufficient for oncogenesis, and a second hit on the other allele is required, as a result of postnatal somatic mutation. Loss of DICER1 is linked to multiple tumours, with prominent endocrine representation. Multinodular goitre is frequent, with increased risk of differentiated thyroid cancer. Rare, developmental pituitary tumours are reported, including pituitary blastoma, but not reports of functional pituitary adenomas. As DICER1 mutations are rare, case reports are the only means to identify new manifestations and to inform appropriate screening protocols.
Learning points:
-
DICER1 mutations lead to endocrine tumours.
-
DICER1 is required for small non-coding RNA expression.
-
DICER1 carriage and microprolactinoma are both rare, but here are reported in the same individual, suggesting association.
-
Endocrine follow-up of patients carrying DICER1 mutations should consider pituitary disease.
Search for other papers by Benedetta Zampetti in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Giorgia Simonetti in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Roberto Attanasio in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Antonio Silvani in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Renato Cozzi in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
We describe the 20-year course of a 63-year-old male with a macroprolactinoma that acquired resistance to treatment and aggressive behavior after a 4-year successful treatment with cabergoline. He was submitted to multiple surgical resections by a skilled surgeon, fractionated radiotherapy and was eventually treated with temozolomide. After a first 6-month standard cycle, a relapse occurred and he was treated again successfully.
Learning points:
-
Prolactinomas are the most frequent type of pituitary adenoma.
-
They usually have a benign course.
-
In most cases dopamine-agonist drugs, mainly cabergoline, are first-line (and usually only) treatment.
-
Occasionally prolactinomas can have or acquire resistance to treatment and/or aggressive behavior.
-
Temozolomide (TMZ), an oral alkylating drug, can be effective in such aggressive tumors.
-
Multimodal treatment (surgery, radiation, cabergoline and TMZ) is warranted in aggressive pituitary tumors.
-
We describe here successful rechallenge with TMZ after relapse occurring 18 months after a first TMZ cycle.
Search for other papers by Wael M Almistehi in
Google Scholar
PubMed
King Fahad Medical City, College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Search for other papers by Mussa H Almalki in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Giant prolactinomas are a rare entity; during pregnancy, the risk for complications associated with these tumors is higher. Here, we report a case of a young woman who had an invasive, giant prolactinoma post resection with residual disease who became pregnant. This patient was treated with cabergoline to prevent tumor expansion in pregnancy, resulting in the uneventful delivery of a healthy baby boy.
Learning points:
-
Giant prolactinoma can cause both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges given their atypical presentation.
-
Accurate diagnosis is paramount to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention or pituitary irradiation.
-
This case demonstrates the effectiveness and safety of CAB therapy during pregnancy.
National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Search for other papers by Michelle Maher in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Federico Roncaroli in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Nigel Mendoza in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Karim Meeran in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Natalie Canham in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Monika Kosicka-Slawinska in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Birgitta Bernhard in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by David Collier in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Juliana Drummond in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Kassiani Skordilis in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Nicola Tufton in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Anastasia Gontsarova in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Niamh Martin in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Márta Korbonits in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Florian Wernig in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Symptomatic pituitary adenomas occur with a prevalence of approximately 0.1% in the general population. It is estimated that 5% of pituitary adenomas occur in a familial setting, either in isolated or syndromic form. Recently, loss-of-function mutations in genes encoding succinate dehydrogenase subunits (SDHx) or MYC-associated factor X (MAX) have been found to predispose to pituitary adenomas in co-existence with paragangliomas or phaeochromocytomas. It is rare, however, for a familial SDHx mutation to manifest as an isolated pituitary adenoma. We present the case of a pituitary lactotroph adenoma in a patient with a heterozygous germline SDHB mutation, in the absence of concomitant neoplasms. Initially, the adenoma showed biochemical response but poor tumour shrinkage in response to cabergoline; therefore, transsphenoidal surgery was performed. Following initial clinical improvement, tumour recurrence was identified 15 months later. Interestingly, re-initiation of cabergoline proved successful and the lesion demonstrated both biochemical response and tumour shrinkage. Our patient’s SDHB mutation was identified when we realised that her father had a metastatic paraganglioma, prompting genetic testing. Re-inspection of the histopathological report of the prolactinoma confirmed cells with vacuolated cytoplasm. This histological feature is suggestive of an SDHx mutation and should prompt further screening for mutations by immunohistochemistry and/or genetic testing. Surprisingly, immunohistochemistry of this pituitary adenoma demonstrated normal SDHB expression, despite loss of SDHB expression in the patient’s father’s paraganglioma.
Learning points:
-
Pituitary adenomas may be the presenting and/or sole feature of SDHB mutation-related disease.
-
SDHx mutated pituitary adenomas may display clinically aggressive behaviour and demonstrate variable response to medical treatment.
-
Histological evidence of intracytoplasmic vacuoles in a pituitary adenoma might suggest an SDH-deficient tumour and should prompt further screening for SDHx mutations.
-
Immunohistochemistry may not always predict the presence of SDHx mutations.
Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
Institute for Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Search for other papers by Anne de Bray in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
Search for other papers by Zaki K Hassan-Smith in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
Search for other papers by Jamal Dirie in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Edward Littleton in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Swarupsinh Chavda in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
Search for other papers by John Ayuk in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Paul Sanghera in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
Institute for Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Search for other papers by Niki Karavitaki in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
A 48-year-old man was diagnosed with a large macroprolactinoma in 1982 treated with surgery, adjuvant radiotherapy and bromocriptine. Normal prolactin was achieved in 2005 but in 2009 it started rising. Pituitary MRIs in 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2015 were reported as showing empty pituitary fossa. Prolactin continued to increase (despite increasing bromocriptine dose). Trialling cabergoline had no effect (prolactin 191,380 mU/L). In January 2016, he presented with right facial weakness and CT head was reported as showing no acute intracranial abnormality. In late 2016, he was referred to ENT with hoarse voice; left hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies were found. At this point, prolactin was 534,176 mU/L. Just before further endocrine review, he had a fall and CT head showed a basal skull mass invading the left petrous temporal bone. Pituitary MRI revealed a large enhancing mass within the sella infiltrating the clivus, extending into the left petrous apex and occipital condyle with involvement of the left Meckel’s cave, internal acoustic meatus, jugular foramen and hypoglossal canal. At that time, left abducens nerve palsy was also present. CT thorax/abdomen/pelvis excluded malignancy. Review of previous images suggested that this lesion had started becoming evident below the fossa in pituitary MRI of 2015. Temozolomide was initiated. After eight cycles, there is significant tumour reduction with prolactin 1565 mU/L and cranial nerve deficits have remained stable. Prolactinomas can manifest aggressive behaviour even decades after initial treatment highlighting the unpredictable clinical course they can demonstrate and the need for careful imaging review.
Learning points:
-
Aggressive behaviour of prolactinomas can manifest even decades after first treatment highlighting the unpredictable clinical course these tumours can demonstrate.
-
Escape from control of hyperprolactinaemia in the absence of sellar adenomatous tissue requires careful and systematic search for the anatomical localisation of the lesion responsible for the prolactin excess.
-
Temozolomide is a valuable agent in the therapeutic armamentarium for aggressive/invasive prolactinomas, particularly if they are not amenable to other treatment modalities.
Department of Endocrinology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
Search for other papers by W K M G Amarawardena in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Endocrinology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
Search for other papers by K D Liyanarachchi in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Endocrinology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
Search for other papers by J D C Newell-Price in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by R J M Ross in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by D Iacovazzo in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by M Debono in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
The granulation pattern of somatotroph adenomas is well known to be associated with differing clinical and biochemical characteristics, and it has been shown that sparsely granulated tumours respond poorly to commonly used somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs). We report a challenging case of acromegaly with a sparsely granulated tumour resistant to multiple modalities of treatment, ultimately achieving biochemical control with pasireotide. A 26-year-old lady presented with classical features of acromegaly, which was confirmed by an oral glucose tolerance test. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) was 1710 µg/L (103–310 µg/L) and mean growth hormone (GH) was >600 U/L. MRI scan showed a 4 cm pituitary macroadenoma with suprasellar extension and right-sided cavernous sinus invasion. She underwent trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery. Histology displayed moderate amounts of sparsely granular eosinophilic cytoplasm, staining only for GH. Postoperative investigations showed uncontrolled disease (IGF1:1474 µg/L, mean GH:228 U/L) and residual tumour in the cavernous sinus. She received external beam fractionated radiation. Over the years, she received octreotide LAR (up to 30 mg), lanreotide (up to 120 mg) two weekly, cabergoline, pegvisomant and stereotactic radiosurgery to no avail. Only pegvisomant resulted in an element of disease control; however, this had to be stopped due to abnormal liver function tests. Fifteen years after the diagnosis, she was started on pasireotide 40 mg monthly. Within a month, her IGF1 dropped and has remained within the normal range (103–310 µg/L). Pasireotide has been well tolerated, and there has been significant clinical improvement. Somatostatin receptor subtyping revealed a positivity score of two for both sst5 and sst2a subtypes.
Learning points:
-
Age, size of the tumour, GH levels on presentation, histopathological type and the somatostatin receptor status of the tumour in acromegaly should be reviewed in patients who poorly respond to first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands.
-
Tumours that respond poorly to first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands, especially sparsely granulated somatotroph adenomas, can respond to pasireotide and treatment should be considered early in the management of resistant tumours.
-
Patients with membranous expression of sst5 are likely to be more responsive to pasireotide.
Fundacion de Endocrinologia
Search for other papers by Oscar D Bruno in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ricardo Fernández Pisani in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Gabriel Isaac in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Armando Basso in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
The role of mechanical forces influencing the growth of a pituitary adenoma is poorly understood. In this paper we report the case of a young man with hyperprolactinaemia and an empty sella secondary to hydrocephalia, who developed a macroprolactinoma following the relief of high intraventricular pressure.
Learning points:
-
The volume of a pituitary tumour may be influenced not only by molecular but also by local mechanical factors.
-
Intratumoural pressure, resistance of the sellar diaphragm and intracranial liquid pressure may play a role in the final size of a pituitary adenoma.
-
The presence of hydrocephalus may hide a pituitary macroadenoma.
