Prolactinoma
Key points
- A prolactinoma is a noncancerous Pituitary tumor that causes excess secretion of the hormone prolactin.
- Prolactin is a hormone that induces lactation or milk formation.
- In women, the symptoms of infertility, irregular menstruation, loss of sexual interest, and milk flow not related to childbirth or nursing can be improved with treatment.
- The outlook depends heavily on the success of medical and surgical therapies.
Alternative names
Prolactinoma - females; Adenoma - secreting
Definition
A prolactinoma is a noncancerous Pituitary tumor that causes excess secretion of the hormone prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that causes secretion of milk from the breasts during nursing. It is also involved in the control of sexual desire.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Prolactin is a hormone that induces lactation or milk formation. The size of the prolactinoma correlates with the excess prolactin level; the larger the tumor, the higher the level of prolactin that is secreted.
Prolactinoma is the most common type of pituitary adenoma and is also referred to as a prolactin -secreting adenoma of the pituitary. These tumors account for at least 30% of all pituitary adenomas. At least half of all prolactinomas are microadenomas. Microprolactinomas are more common in women. Larger tumors, called macroprolactinomas, are more common in men. Many of the smaller tumors do not appear to progress to larger tumors.
Prolactinomas occur most commonly in those under 40 years old. They are rare in children. These tumors are about fives times as common in women as men. In women, prolactinomas typically cause amenorrhea (lack of menstruation) and Galactorrhea (milk production from the breasts, not associated with pregnancy) and occur in young patients. By contrast, prolactinomas in men occur in older patients and can grow to a large size before any symptoms occur.
Symptoms
In women:
- Cessation of menses not related to menopause
- Abnormal milk flow from the breast not related to nursing or childbirth (Galactorrhea)
- infertility
- Decreased sexual interest
- headache
- visual changes
In men:
- Enlargement of breast tissue (gynecomastia)
- infertility
- Impotence
- Decreased sexual interest
- headache
- visual changes
Note: there may be no symptoms, particularly in men.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
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