Prolactinoma

Disease Overview

Prolactinoma is a tumor of the pituitary gland that causes increased levels of the hormone prolactin. This hormone normally stimulates breast development and milk production in women. Prolactinoma can affect men or women. In women, the symptoms may include unusual milk production (galactorrhea) when not pregnant or nursing and having no menstrual cycles (amenorrhea). In men, the most common symptoms are decreased sex drive and infertility. Most prolactinomas occur by chance (sporadically) in people with no family history. In a small number of cases, prolactinoma may be caused by a genetic condition such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) or familial isolated pituitary adenoma. Treatment for prolactinoma usually involves taking oral medications known as dopamine agonists. These medications can reduce prolactin levels and shrink the tumor. In more severe cases, radiation therapy or surgery may be needed.[12290][12291]

Synonyms

• Lactotroph adenoma
• Pituitary lactotrophic adenoma
• PRL-secreting pituitary adenoma
• PRLoma
• Prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma
• Forbes-Albright syndrome (formerly)
• Prolactin-Producing Pituitary Gland Adenoma