Prolactinoma natural history, complications, and prognosis
|
Prolactinoma Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Prolactinoma natural history, complications, and prognosis On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Prolactinoma natural history, complications, and prognosis |
|
FDA on Prolactinoma natural history, complications, and prognosis |
|
CDC on Prolactinoma natural history, complications, and prognosis |
|
Prolactinoma natural history, complications, and prognosis in the news |
|
Blogs on Prolactinoma natural history, complications, and prognosis |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Prolactinoma natural history, complications, and prognosis |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Faizan Sheraz, M.D. [2]
Overview
Hyperprolactinemia can cause reduced estrogen production in women and reduced testosterone production in men.People with microprolactinoma generally have an excellent prognosis. In 95% of cases the tumor will not show any signs of growth after a 4 to 6 year period. Macroprolactinomas often require more aggressive treatment otherwise they may continue to grow.
Natural History and Prognosis
In 95% of cases the tumor will not show any signs of growth after a 4 to 6 year period. Prognosis is excellent for microprlactinoma. Macroprolactinomas often require more aggressive treatment otherwise they may continue to grow. There is no way to reliably predict the rate of growth, as it is different for every individual.
Complications
Complications of prolactinoma include:
- Pregnancy complications
In pregnant patients excessive estrogen may causes increased tumor growth and eventually symptoms of headache and visual changes. Osteoporosis Risk Hyperprolactinemia can cause reduced estrogen production in women and reduced testosterone production in men. Although estrogen/testosterone production may be restored after treatment for hyperprolactinemia, even a year or two without estrogen/testosterone can compromise bone strength, and patients should protect themselves from osteoporosis by increasing exercise and calcium intake through diet or supplementation, and by avoiding smoking. Patients may want to have bone density measurements to assess the effect of estrogen/testosterone deficiency on bone density. They may also want to discuss testosterone/estrogen replacement therapy with their physician.[1]