Prolactinoma
For patient information click here.
Template:DiseaseDisorder infobox
|
Prolactinoma Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Prolactinoma On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Prolactinoma |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Epidemiology & Demographics
Causes of Prolactinoma
History & Symptoms
Diagnosis
Physical Examination
Lab Tests
MRI
CT
Treatments
The goal of treatment is to return prolactin secretion to normal, reduce tumor size, correct any visual abnormalities, and restore normal pituitary function. As mentioned above, the impact of stress should be ruled out before the diagnosis of prolactinoma is given. Exercise can significantly reduce stress and, thereby, prolactin levels. It should also be noted that higher prolactin levels may contribute to the development of prolactinomas so the diagnosis can be self-fulfilling if the original cause is stress. In the case of very large tumors, only partial reduction of the prolactin levels may be possible.
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Natural history, Complications, and Prognosis
Prognosis
People with microprolactinoma generally have an excellent prognosis. In 95% of cases the tumor will not show any signs of growth after a 4 to 6 year period.
Macroprolactinomas often require more aggressive treatment otherwise they may continue to grow. There is no way to reliably predict the rate of growth, as it is different for every individual. Regular monitoring by a specialist to detect any major changes in the tumor is recommended.
References
Adapted from Prolactinoma. U. S. National Institutes of Health Publication No. 02-3924 June 2002. Public Domain Source