Related Experiment Videos
Prolactin secreting pituitary carcinoma
T Petterson1, I A MacFarlane, J M MacKenzie
1Department of Endocrinology, Walton Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|December 1, 1992
Summary
A patient with aggressive prolactin-secreting pituitary carcinoma experienced tumor recurrence despite surgery, radiotherapy, and bromocriptine treatment. Persistent hyperprolactinemia may indicate a poor prognosis in patients with prolactinoma.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuro-oncology
- Pituitary Disorders
Background:
- Pituitary carcinomas are rare, aggressive tumors often associated with hormone hypersecretion.
- Prolactinomas, a common type of pituitary adenoma, are typically managed with dopamine agonists like bromocriptine.
Observation:
- A patient with prolactin-secreting pituitary carcinoma underwent surgery and radiotherapy.
- Initial treatment resulted in partial response of hyperprolactinemia to bromocriptine over four years.
Findings:
- Significant tumor recurrence and rising prolactin levels occurred despite initial treatment.
- Cytotoxic chemotherapy temporarily halted tumor progression but was followed by fatal brain metastasis.
Implications:
- Failure to normalize serum prolactin with bromocriptine may herald an aggressive clinical course in prolactinoma patients.
- This case highlights the challenges in managing aggressive pituitary carcinomas and the potential limitations of dopamine agonist therapy.