Prolactinoma history and symptoms
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Overview
A prolactinoma is a benign tumor (adenoma) of the pituitary gland that produces a hormone called prolactin. It is the most common type of pituitary tumor. Symptoms of prolactinoma are caused by too much prolactin in the blood (hyperprolactinemia) or by pressure of the tumor on surrounding tissues.
History and symptoms
The symptoms experienced in women and men are as for hyperprolactinaemia from all causes. In addition, macroprolactinomas by their very size may press on surrounding structures causing headaches or loss of vision from pressure on the cross-over of the optic nerves (the Optic chiasm). Unlike women, who may observe a disruption of menstruation, men have no reliable indicator to signal a problem and so may delay going to the doctor until they have headaches or eye problems.