Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat's diabetes cured but acromegaly persists after radiation treatment
By Littler, R M et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2006·Davies Veterinary Specialists, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Resolution of diabetes mellitus but not acromegaly in a cat with a pituitary macroadenoma treated with hypofractionated radiation.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old cat with a pituitary tumor was diagnosed with diabetes and was treated with radiation therapy. After completing the treatment, the cat's diabetes improved significantly, and it no longer needed insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. However, the cat continued to show signs of acromegaly, such as increased size and appetite, indicating that while the diabetes was resolved, the underlying growth hormone issue remained. This case suggests that radiation can effectively manage diabetes in cats with pituitary tumors, but may not fully address all related symptoms.
People also search for: cat diabetes treatment · acromegaly in cats · radiation therapy for cat tumors
Abstract
The use of insulin-like growth factor 1 assays in the diagnosis and subsequent monitoring after radiotherapy of an acromegalic cat with a secretory pituitary adenoma and secondary insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus is described. Diabetes resolved, and exogenous insulin was no longer required for the maintenance of normoglycaemia 10 months after completion of a course of hypofractionated radiotherapy. However, insulin-like growth factor 1 remained elevated, and the cat's size and appetite continued to increase. It is suggested that radiotherapy may decrease growth hormone concentration to a level such that diabetogenic effects are no longer evident but not to a level required to decrease insulin-like growth factor 1 secretion.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16842276/