General Information About Prolactinoma
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a benign tumor (adenoma) located in the pituitary gland, the 'conductor' of the body situated at the base of the brain, which excessively secretes the maternal hormone 'prolactin'.
No, prolactinomas are not cancer (they are benign) and do not spread to other organs. Their main harm lies in disrupting hormone balance and, if they grow, putting pressure on the optic nerves.
High prolactin suppresses ovulation. The most typical symptoms are spontaneous milk discharge from the breasts (galactorrhea) despite not being pregnant or postpartum, menstrual delays or complete cessation of periods (amenorrhea), and infertility.
It lowers testosterone in men. Loss of sexual desire (decreased libido), erection problems (impotence), loss of beard and body hair, and sometimes breast enlargement are observed.
Following an excessively high Prolactin level (usually well over 100) found in blood tests, a Pituitary MRI is performed to determine the millimeter-precise size of the tumor in the brain.
Surgery is not required in 90% of tumors. When medications (pills) called Dopamine agonists (e.g., Cabergoline) are used, the tumor miraculously shrinks and dissolves within a few months, and the prolactin level returns to normal. Masses that do not respond to medication or crush the optic nerve enough to cause blindness are removed by entering through the nose (transsphenoidal surgery).
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
