Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Co-secretion of growth hormone and prolactin defines a high-risk acromegaly phenotype
Won Kyu Lee1, Hyeong-Cheol Oh1,2, Jin-Kyung Shim1,2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Data on GH and prolactin (PRL) co-secreting pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (GH/PRL-PitNETs), a subtype of acromegaly, remain limited. In particular, comparative analyses of clinical outcomes, including remission rates, between GH/PRL-PitNETs and GH-secreting pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (GH-PitNETs) are scarce.
Objective:
This study aimed to characterize and compare the clinical course and remission outcomes of GH/PRL-PitNETs and GH-PitNETs.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed 188 patients with acromegaly who underwent surgery between 2018 and 2024. GH/PRL-PitNETs (n = 46) were compared with GH-PitNETs (n = 142) in terms of their clinical, biochemical, and radiological features. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess differences in biochemical remission between the groups, after which Cox proportional hazards modeling-including a time-dependent treatment variable-was used to identify covariates independently associated with remission.
Results:
GH/PRL-PitNETs were significantly larger and more invasive than GH-PitNETs. The surgical remission rate was lower in the GH/PRL-PitNET group (P = .023). In multivariable Cox analysis, tumor size and cavernous sinus invasion independently predicted inferior outcome in biochemical remission. GH-PitNETs showed a higher incidence of medical comorbidities such as hypertension and thyroid carcinoma.
Conclusion:
GH/PRL-PitNETs demonstrated greater tumor burden and more pronounced structural invasiveness, resulting in a significantly lower likelihood of endocrinological remission.
Related Concept Videos
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction
Major Hormones and Their Functions
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.
Adrenal Gland Disorders
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Two...
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon