1365-2362/asset/eci_left.gif?v=1&s=20ae7863f19ac2e546bdc0310dcd1297758b234c)
1365-2362/asset/eci_right.gif?v=1&s=d3dbb4c160274284bf175d469a6b9e0b8b97c6eb)
Treatment for prolactinomas and hyperprolactinaemia: a lifetime approach
Article first published online: 18 OCT 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2010.02399.x
© 2010 The Author. European Journal of Clinical Investigation © 2010 Stichting European Society for Clinical Investigation Journal Foundation
Additional Information
How to Cite
Mann, W. A. (2011), Treatment for prolactinomas and hyperprolactinaemia: a lifetime approach. European Journal of Clinical Investigation, 41: 334–342. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2010.02399.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 8 FEB 2011
- Article first published online: 18 OCT 2010
- Received 23 July 2010; accepted 14 September 2010
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Clinical manifestation;
- dopamine agonists;
- hyperprolactinaemia;
- paediatric hyperprolactinaemia;
- postmenopausal hyperprolactinaemia;
- prolactinoma
Eur J Clin Invest 2011; 41 (3): 334–342
Abstract
Background Prolactinomas are the most common hormone-secreting pituitary tumours and are amenable to medical therapy with dopamine agonists. Indication for treatment will most commonly result from hypogonadism, infertility or symptoms related to tumour size. Thus, both diagnosis and treatment will essentially depend on the patients’ stage of life, namely prepubertal, reproductive or postreproductive stage. This review will focus on a lifespan-dependent diagnosis and treatment for prolactinoma and hyperprolactinaemia.
Methods PubMed, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science and EMBASE were searched electronically. No restriction was made with respect to language. Relevant current articles will be included in this review.
Results Prevalence of prolactinomas and clinical symptoms are age group-specific, and treatment of first choice is dopamine agonists over the whole lifespan. Open questions in the treatment for hyperprolactinaemia include optimal choice and duration of pharmacological treatment. In addition, concerns have been raised on the safety of dopamine agonists since a reported association of valvular heart disease with dopaminergic treatment in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Conclusions Clinical presentation and consequences of hyperprolactinaemia and prolactinoma will differ in the specific stages of reproductive life and require an adequate lifetime-dependent diagnostic and therapeutic approach.