[Clinical course and the effectiveness of conservative treatment of prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma]

Forty-eight women with prolactin-secreting adenomas of the hypophysis and 22 patients with suspected microadenomas, aged 16 to 38, were examined. The highest blood prolactin levels and the most manifest symptoms were revealed in the patients with x-ray evidence of hypophyseal macroadenoma. Prolactin levels were lower, though still elevated, in the cases with small adenomas. In the cases with high prolactin levels but without x-ray signs of hypophyseal adenoma the clinical symptoms were less manifest. LH concentrations were significantly reduced in all the patients. Seven patients in whom parlodel therapy was ineffective were operated on. In the rest parlodel therapy, carried out for 1-2 years, was conducive to stabilization of the tumor process, despite a recurrence of hyperprolactinemia.