Discovery of a pituitary adenoma following treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in a patient with prostate cancer

Int J Urol. 2006 Jan;13(1):87-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2042.2006.01237.x.

Abstract

We report the case of a T3 prostate cancer in a 70-year-old white man. Hormone therapy represents a prominent branch in the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists have been proven to have a double effect on androgen metabolism: an initially stimulating, followed by an inhibitory, effect on the pituitary gland. This phenomenon may be noxious in the case of gonadotroph adenoma, with subsequent symptoms of intracranial hypertension. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists (abarelix), by avoiding the flare-up reaction, might be used in such instances.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / complications
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenoma / chemically induced*
  • Adenoma / diagnosis
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / agonists*
  • Humans
  • Leuprolide / adverse effects*
  • Leuprolide / therapeutic use
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / complications
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Leuprolide