[Treatment of prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors with bromocriptine]

9 women and 6 men with prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors--prolactinomas (mean age 41 years, range 28-57), were treated conservatively with bromocriptine. The women usually presented with galactorrhea, menstrual disorders and headaches, and the men with headaches, decreased libido or impotence, and visual abnormalities. The symptoms had lasted from several months to 20 years, but were not correlated with tumor size. Between 77-100% of symptoms improved during bromocriptine. Prolactin levels, which correlated with the size of the tumor, averaged 1241 ng/ml before treatment and became normal in 80% of the patients. Tumor size decreased in 58% of those with macroprolactinomas. Lesions of decreased density were found in another 17% of the patients. Side-effects of bromocriptine were minor and disappeared despite continuation of therapy. The results of this series, as well as those of others, indicate that bromocriptine is the treatment of choice for micro- and macroprolactinomas.