Pituitary Apoplexy Following Gonadotropin‐Releasing Hormone Agonist Administration for Prostate Cancer
Abstract
Introduction: Pituitary apoplexy represents an uncommon endocrine emergency with potentially life-threatening consequences. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist used for prostate cancer has the potential to induce pituitary apoplexy, particularly in the setting of a preexisting pituitary adenoma. Case Presentation: A 76-year-old male with prostate cancer initially chose active surveillance; however, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) elevation required hormonal therapy 5 years later. A pancreatic islet tumor had been previously identified; however, its details were unavailable. He was presented to the emergency department 24 h after receiving the first gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist injection. He showed severe headache, general fatigue, diplopia, and ptosis of the right eye. Brain MRI revealed a right deviated suprasellar pituitary adenoma with hemorrhagic infarction. He was conservatively treated with high-dose steroids; symptoms improved within 1 week. Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of the association of pituitary apoplexy with the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and should ask about the patient's past history of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN).
Fields of Study & Subjects
Pituitary Gland Disorders and Treatments
Growth Hormone and Insulin-like Growth Factors
Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Advances
Publication details
- Journal / source
- IJU Case Reports
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- e70159–e70159
- Publication date
- 27 February 2026
- Language
- EN