Regression of a prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor during long-term treatment with bromocriptine

A nulliparous woman with 12 years of amenorrhea, galactorrhea, and hyperprolactinemia and radiologic evidence of a pituitary macroadenoma was treated with large doses of bromocriptine. During treatment the greatly increased prolactin levels normalized and ovulatory menstrual cycles were regained after 48 weeks of treatment. A transsphenoidal surgical exploration of the pituitary fossa was performed after 27 months of treatment. The findings at surgery suggested that regression of the pituitary adenoma had occurred during the prolonged treatment with bromocriptine. After discontinuation of the therapy, the patient continued to ovulate and subsequently conceived.