From Crisis to Cancer: Diabetic Ketoacidosis Unmasking a Malignancy of Unknown Origin

TL;DR

A rare case where diabetic ketoacidosis revealed an aggressive brain cancer with an unknown primary origin highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and multidisciplinary care.

Contribution

This paper presents a rare clinical case linking DKA to cancer of unknown primary origin, emphasizing diagnostic challenges and management strategies.

Findings

Diabetic ketoacidosis was the initial presentation of occult cancer in a 37-year-old woman.

Brain metastases were detected incidentally, but no primary tumor site could be identified despite extensive investigations.

The case underscores the need for early imaging and multidisciplinary coordination in complex presentations.

Abstract

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening metabolic emergency, but its presentation as the first sign of an occult malignancy is extremely rare, particularly when the primary site is unknown. We report such a rare case of a 37-year-old woman presenting with progressive headache and vomiting. Initial assessment demonstrated DKA with associated electrolyte disturbances, which were managed promptly, and neuroimaging - prompted by concern for raised intracranial pressure - unexpectedly revealed brain metastases. Despite extensive imaging, immunohistochemistry, and multidisciplinary review, no definitive primary site could be identified. She was diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary (CUP) and referred for whole-brain radiotherapy and palliative care. This case illustrates the rare but critical scenario in which an acute metabolic emergency, such as DKA, unmasks an aggressive metastatic malignancy. The incidental detection of brain metastases in the absence of an identifiable primary tumour adds further diagnostic complexity. Early recognition of red flags, timely imaging, and multidisciplinary coordination are essential for guiding diagnosis and management.

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