[Recent advances in post-therapeutic hormonal surveillance of prolactin adenomas (author's transl)]

Abstract

Therapeutic results in 80 cases of pituitary prolactin adenomas, grouped according to Hardy's neurosurgical classification, are discussed as a function of the 5 types of treatment administered. These were: selective adenomectomy by the trans-sphenoidal approach under microscopic supervision; bromocriptine usually at doses of 5 to 7.5 mg per day; combined surgery and radiotherapy (50 to 60 grays 5 times per week for 5 to 6 weeks); surgery plus bromocriptine; surgery plus radiotherapy plus bromocriptine. Selective adenomectomy gives excellent results in stages 1 and 2, if performed by an experienced surgeon. Bromocriptine was remarkably effective in all cases, whatever the level of blood prolactin and the size of the adenoma. Prolactin levels never returned to normal after radiotherapy, which also markedly increased the frequency of post-therapeutic hormonal insufficiencies.