Primary undifferentiated spindle-cell sarcoma of sella turcica: successful treatment with adjuvant temozolomide

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 May 27:2013:bcr2013009934. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-009934.

Abstract

Sellar tumours in adults are most commonly pituitary adenomas. Primary spindle cell sarcoma of the sella turcica without a prior history of cranial radiation is extremely rare. We report a case of a large sellar mass with suprasellar and cavernous sinus extension in a geriatric male patient who presented with complete left oculomotor nerve palsy and panhypopituitarism. The patient underwent partial resection of the sellar mass through transcranial route. The pathology of the mass revealed a poorly differentiated spindle cell neoplasm most consistent with a sarcoma. Postoperatively, the size of the residual sellar mass decreased significantly following six cycles of external beam radiation in conjunction with temozolomide.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Dacarbazine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Dacarbazine / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology
  • Sarcoma / drug therapy*
  • Sarcoma / metabolism
  • Sarcoma / pathology
  • Sella Turcica / pathology*
  • Sella Turcica / surgery
  • Temozolomide

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Dacarbazine
  • Temozolomide