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  • Nivolumab-induced hypophysitis leading to hypopituitarism and secondary empty sella syndrome in a patient with non-small cell lung cancer

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Unexpected outcome (positive or negative) including adverse drug reactions
CASE REPORT
Nivolumab-induced hypophysitis leading to hypopituitarism and secondary empty sella syndrome in a patient with non-small cell lung cancer
  1. Jeremy Chang1,
  2. Jeffrey Tran1,
  3. Dina Kamel1 and
  4. Arnab Basu2
  1. 1 Internal Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
  2. 2 Hematology/Oncology, University of Southern California—Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital, Los Angeles, California, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Jeremy Chang, jeremy.chang{at}med.usc.edu

Abstract

We describe the clinical course of a 64-year-old woman with stage IVa lung adenocarcinoma who presented with over 1 month of fatigue, unintentional weight loss and emesis. She initiated treatment with nivolumab immunotherapy 1 year prior and had been tolerating the treatment well. A comprehensive workup revealed multiple endocrinological abnormalities consistent with hypophysitis leading to hypopituitarism in the form of central adrenal insufficiency and hypogonadism as well as a partially empty sella on imaging. This case demonstrates that while receiving novel forms of treatment such as immunotherapy, patients should be monitored closely for a wide range of adverse effects.

  • pituitary disorders
  • lung cancer (oncology)
  • unwanted effects/adverse reactions

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2018-228135

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors JC performed literature review and wrote the manuscript. JT and DK edited the manuscript and approved the final version. AB conceived the idea for the manuscript and contributed to the writing and editing process.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

    • Patient consent for publication Obtained.