Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 11, 2026
07:43
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
19.5K
[Refractory pituitary prolactinoma:current treatment status and challenges]
1Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100730, China.
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi
|November 11, 2025
Summary
Refractory pituitary prolactinoma, a rare but aggressive form of pituitary cancer, presents treatment challenges. This review explores its definition, mechanisms, markers, and advanced treatments, advocating for precision medicine and multidisciplinary care.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Pituitary prolactinoma is the most common functioning pituitary adenoma.
- Hyperprolactinemia causes hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
- Most patients respond to dopamine agonists (DA), but 10-15% develop refractory tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the evolution of refractory pituitary prolactinoma definition.
- To explore molecular mechanisms, early predictive markers, and latest treatments.
- To improve diagnosis and treatment through precision medicine and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms and predictive markers.
- Evaluation of current and emerging treatment strategies.
Main Results:
- Refractory prolactinoma can progress to metastatic pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (pituitary cancer).
- Dopamine agonist resistance and pituitary tumor apoplexy necessitate neurosurgical intervention.
- Radiotherapy serves as an effective adjuvant therapy.
Conclusions:
- Refractory pituitary prolactinoma requires advanced therapeutic approaches.
- Precision medicine and standardized multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment models are crucial.
- Improving the diagnosis and treatment level of refractory prolactinoma is essential for patient outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
453
Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation.
453
01:24Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
954
Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
954
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
3.7K
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.7K
01:28Drug Therapy
236
The advent of drug therapy has profoundly shaped modern mental health care, providing targeted treatments for a range of psychological disorders. Psychotherapeutic drugs, classified into antianxiety, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications, address symptoms across anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. While these medications have transformed patient outcomes, they require careful management due to their potential side effects and limitations.
Antianxiety Medications
Antianxiety Medications
236
01:23Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
447
Prostacyclin receptor agonists are a class of therapeutic agents integral to managing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These drugs operate by mimicking the action of prostaglandin I2, or PGI2, a naturally occurring compound in the body.
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
447
01:18Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
428
Endothelins (ETs) are potent vasoactive peptides critical in the human body's various physiological and pathological processes. One of the most promising therapeutic strategies for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) involves counteracting the effects of these endothelins using a class of drugs known as endothelin receptor antagonists.
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme...
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme...
428