Bromocriptine reduction of prolactinoma size

Eight consecutive patients with large prolactinomas, as assessed by elevated serum prolactin concentrations and suprasellar extension of the visualized pituitary adenoma on computerized tomographic (CT) scanning, were treated with bromocriptine. With prospective evaluation all eight patients demonstrated disappearance of symptoms ascribed to both the hyperprolactinemia and the tumor itself, and all eight showed a decrease in tumor size within 3 months, as assessed by CT scanning. This prospective study demonstrates that the reduction in size of a large prolactinoma by bromocriptine is commonly observed and should be considered as an initial form of therapy for such patients.