Prolactinomas

Abstract

Prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors are not rare. The diagnosis of a patient with hyperprolactinemia and possible tumor should be carried out in an orderly fashion by first excluding secondary causes. If the patient has pathologic hyperprolactinemia, assessment of pituitary anatomy with a high resolution CT scan (or MRI) should be done. In patients who have a macroadenoma, quantitative visual field examination should be a part of the ophthalmologic examination. The choice of therapy is dependent on the clinical findings, the risks of therapy, and patient preference. Currently, the most effective therapy for a patient with a macroadenoma is medical therapy with a dopamine agonist, but this must be given chronically. Regardless of the therapy selected, these patients must be followed regularly. Once fertility is established, there is usually no contraindication to pregnancy in women who wish to become pregnant.