Non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma within a Rathke's cleft cyst

Brian T O'Neill; Konstantinos Segkos; Ekkehard M Kasper; Johanna A Pallotta

doi:10.1007/s11102-015-0638-5

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Non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma within a Rathke's cleft cyst

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma within a Rathke's cleft cyst

Brian T O'Neill, Konstantinos Segkos, Ekkehard M Kasper and Johanna A Pallotta

Pituitary, Vol.19(1), pp.105-109

02/2016

DOI: 10.1007/s11102-015-0638-5

PMCID: PMC4550574

PMID: 25715776

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Abstract

Primary intracranial and sellar squamous cell carcinoma is an extremely rare entity, usually caused by malignant transformation of epidermoid cysts, or very rarely other non-malignant epithelial cysts. Malignant transformation of a Rathke's cleft cyst has never been described. We present a 49-year-old male patient who presented with a 3-month history of progressive frontotemporal headaches. Imaging revealed a 1.2 cm cystic pituitary mass consistent with a hemorrhagic Rathke's cleft cyst. The patient underwent trans-sphenoidal resection of the pituitary cyst, and pathologic analysis revealed a squamous cell carcinoma lining a Rathke's cleft cyst. Extensive imaging and otorhinolaryngologic evaluation revealed no primary source for metastasis. We feel this represents the first case of a patient with a pituitary lesion in which presentation and MRI imaging were consistent with Rathke's cleft cyst, yet histology revealed squamous cell carcinoma in situ.

Pituitary Neoplasms - surgery

Pituitary Neoplasms - diagnosis

Pituitary Gland - pathology

Pituitary Gland - surgery

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology

Humans

Middle Aged

Pituitary Diseases - surgery

Central Nervous System Cysts - surgery

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - surgery

Male

Pituitary Diseases - pathology

Central Nervous System Cysts - diagnosis

Details

Title: Subtitle: Non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma within a Rathke's cleft cyst
Creators: Brian T O'Neill - Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, 1 Joslin Pl, Rm 605, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. brian.o'neill@joslin.harvard.edu
Konstantinos Segkos - University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, MA, USA
Ekkehard M Kasper - Department of Neurosurgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
Johanna A Pallotta - Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Pituitary, Vol.19(1), pp.105-109
DOI: 10.1007/s11102-015-0638-5
PMID: 25715776
PMCID: PMC4550574
NLM abbreviation: Pituitary
ISSN: 1386-341X
eISSN: 1573-7403
Grant note: T32 DK007260 / NIDDK NIH HHS T32DK007260 / NIDDK NIH HHS K08DK100543 / NIDDK NIH HHS K08 DK100543 / NIDDK NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 02/2016
Academic Unit: Endocrinology and Metabolism; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984094214102771

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