Role of surgery in the treatment of microprolactinomas

Prolactinomas are a common cause of reproductive and sexual dysfunction and account for a large proportion of pituitary adenomas. The objectives for treatment of hyperprolactinemia due to microprolactinomas are to suppress excessive hormone secretion, preserve residual pituitary function, and prevent disease recurrence. These objectives may be achieved in most patients harboring microprolactinomas by medical treatment with effective dopamine agonists or microsurgical or endoscopic adenomectomy by an experienced surgeon. The choice of pituitary surgery should be made in consideration of the volume and location of the adenoma, age of the patient, the desire for restoration of fertility, and the efficacy and tolerability of dopamine agonists. The presence of a symptomatic microprolactinoma, especially in a young patient, should remain an indication for micro- or endoscopic tumor removal. This article reviews the emergence of radiosurgery as a treatment for microprolactinomas.