Prolactinoma

Prolactinoma is a benign tumor that arises from the pituitary gland. It can cause several problems in men and women that have this tumor. It is more common in women than in men. It is one of the most common pituitary tumors and accounts for about 30% of all tumors in the pituitary gland. The tumor causes to much prolactin production, a hormone that causes lactation of the breast in women. It can also decrease the sex drive and cause absence in a menstrual cycle. In men the tumor may cause impotence, decreased sex drive and breasts to grow.

This tumor does not have to be surgically removed unless it is so large that it is causing visual problems and starts pushing on some nerves and other brain tissue. If the tumor is small it can be controlled with medication. Typically a medication called Bromocriptine is prescribed and has to be taken for life. If surgery is needed then it should be done in the first 6 month of being on the medication for the chances of success to be higher.

Indications for this condition are blood levels like prolactin and testosterone. In order to visualize the pathology an MRI or CT of the pituitary region of the brain needs to be performed. The mass is usually small, about 1 cm in diameter but can be larger. The larger version usually occurs in men.

These are MRI images of a prolactinoma in a female. The arrows are pointing to the tumor.
Image is from: http://brentdanley.com/2009/02/17/the-prolactinoma-is-back/

MRI of a 58 years old patient with an invasive, cystic giant prolactinoma, which has destroyed the base of the scull, caused blindness, and infiltrated the lateral ventricle.
Image and caption is from:
http://www.endotext.org/neuroendo/neuroendo11b/index.html


Information was gathered at: https://health.google.com/health/ref/Prolactinoma