[Lung cancer with metastasis to pituitary gland].

Objective: To improve the diagnostic accuracy of lung cancer with metastasis to pituitary gland.

Methods: The clinical data of 6 cases with lung cancer metastatic to pituitary gland were reviewed retrospectively and the features of clinical manifestations and sella MRI image analyzed.

Results: (1) The patients had an average of 57.5 years of age. (2) Most of them had 2 additional metastatic sites other than pituitary gland. (3) Posterior lobe is mostly effected and the most common symptom is diabetes insipidus. The image of sella MRI had some special characteristics. (4) Pituitary anterior lobe function is often impaired in some degree.

Conclusions: Lung cancer is one of the commonest primary tumor with metastasis to pituitary gland and thorough exploration for primary cancer should be carried out in elderly patients with new onset of diabetes insipidus.