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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
07:43
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Functioning pituitary adenomas in pregnancy: updates and controversies
Elena V Varlamov1,2, Monica L Gheorghiu3, Maria Fleseriu1,2
1Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition.
Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Managing functioning pituitary adenomas during pregnancy is complex. While medical therapies show safety, individualized care and shared decision-making are crucial due to limited evidence.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Oncology
Background:
- Fertility and pregnancy are frequently impacted in women with functioning pituitary adenomas.
- Despite advancements in care, significant questions persist regarding optimal management strategies throughout pregnancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on pregnancy outcomes in women with functioning pituitary adenomas.
- To highlight uncertainties in the management of these conditions during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were examined for updated evidence.
- Focus was placed on prolactinomas, acromegaly, and Cushing's disease during pregnancy.
Main Results:
- Medical therapies like cabergoline and bromocriptine demonstrate maternal and fetal safety during pregnancy.
- Surgery is increasingly considered for prolactinomas, offering favorable outcomes in specialized centers.
Conclusions:
- Clinical practice relies on limited retrospective data due to the rarity of functioning pituitary adenomas in pregnancy.
- Newer medical therapies for acromegaly and Cushing's disease lack pregnancy-specific data, necessitating individualized management and shared decision-making.
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