Prolactinomas in Moroccan Population: Clinical, Paraclinical, Therapeutic, and Evolutionary Aspects

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Reproductive Medicine

Background:

• Prolactinomas, the most common secretory pituitary adenomas, are typically benign.
• Tumor size, assessed by MRI, dictates prolactinoma severity.
• Diagnosis and coding are well-established, but understanding epidemiological and clinical profiles is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, and therapeutic characteristics of prolactinomas.
• To analyze treatment outcomes and patient responses to therapy.
• To provide insights into the management of prolactinomas in a specific patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective, descriptive study of 95 prolactinoma cases.
• Data collected from January 2015 to November 2020 at Hassan II University Hospital of Fez.
• Analysis included patient demographics, tumor size, prolactin levels, symptoms, and treatment responses.

Main Results:

• The study included 95 patients (88.4% female), with a mean age of 33.8 years.
• Macroprolactinomas (61.1%) were more common than microprolactinomas (38.9%). Common symptoms included menstrual disorders, galactorrhea, and headaches.
• Dopamine agonists (cabergoline) were used in 97.9% of cases, showing high efficacy in normalizing prolactin levels and reducing tumor size (82.7% favorable radiological response).

Conclusions:

• Medical therapy with dopamine agonists, particularly cabergoline, is highly effective for prolactinomas.
• Treatment leads to significant normalization of prolactin levels and tumor size reduction in most patients.
• The study underscores the favorable prognosis and management of prolactinomas with current therapeutic strategies.