Gynaecological importance of unusual pituitary tumours

Sixty-eight women with pituitary tumours exhibiting gynaecological symptoms have been reviewed. Fifty-two tumours were prolactinomas while 6 were growth hormone secreting, 6 ACTH secreting, 1 was a large 'inert' adenoma and 3 were late-presenting craniopharyngiomas. Several of the prolactinomas exhibited unusual features including excessively high prolactin secretion, a wide spectrum of sensitivity to bromocriptine, rapid expansion in pregnancy, association with the empty sella syndrome and even a secondary malignancy. The behaviour of tumours secreting other hormones but presenting with gynaecological symptoms is described.