Do I Have A Prolactinoma?

Prolactinoma is the most common type of brain tumor. This type of tumor is usually misdiagnosed. People usually don't have headaches, but they have other systemic symptoms. Some patients present with breast milk that produces milk. Women may also experience changes in their menstrual cycle, such as shorter or delayed menstrual cycles. Then, people will experience changes in their vision. Patients may be present after a car accident or frustration when they are hit because they have developed Bilateral Hemianopsia, in which they lose their vision.

Patients were diagnosed with Prolactinoma with high serum Prolactin levels. They were then confirmed by an MRI showing the growth of the Anterior Pituitary, located in the sella turcica of the brain. Sella turcica is located above the Optical Chiasm, which is compressed to cause visual impairment.

The Anterior Pituitary not only produces Prolactin, but it also produces five other hormones that may decrease with the advantage of Prolactin production from the gland. Other hormones are Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH), which produce progesterone and estrogen in women and testosterone, Mullerian Inhibiting Factor (MIF) and Androgen Binding Protein (ABP) in men. Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH) is also produced, leading to the release of Cortisol from the adrenal gland. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is derived from the Pituitary Anterior, which causes the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 to be released from the thyroid gland. Hormone Growth (GH) is also produced that acts on all cells in the body for growth and repair and stimulates the release of the Insulin Growth Factor (IGF) from the liver to help maintain the body's blood glucose level. If Prolactinoma is not treated, the Anterior pituitary gland will not produce enough of these hormones to act on other organs to function properly, and the patient will experience symptoms of decreased sexual function, Cushing's Syndrome, Hypothyroidism, and Hyperglycemia.

There are several treatment options for Prolactinoma. The first treatment option is medication. The best medical option is Bromocriptine. It is an old drug that has been used for years, but it has some side effects, such as chest pain, confusion, and low blood sugar, that some patients cannot tolerate. So the alternative medicine that can be prescribed is Carbergoline. These drugs are dopamine agonists that work to reduce the amount of Prolactin produced by the Anterior Pituitary in the brain. The main treatment for Prolactinoma is surgery. This procedure involves the surgical removal of brain tumors through the patient's nose.

Prognosis Prolactinoma is very good. Ninety-five percent of patients with this benign tumor have a functional life with few side effects. If the tumor is small, women can still get pregnant and have children. Because Prolactin suppresses estrogen release from the ovaries, women have a chance to get osteoporosis, so patients should be consulted by their primary care physician and / or Neurologist to monitor the development of Prolactinoma. Fortunately, Prolactinomas do not increase after five years, and patients can determine their long-term care at that time.

Therefore, if you experience any changes in your menstrual cycle, vision, health, and / or behavior, consult your doctor and ask "Do I Have Prolactinoma?"

Do I Have A Prolactinoma?


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