Pituitary tumours. their effect on gonad function; a study of 47 tumours that had been operated on
Berrebi, A.; Trémoulet, M.
Journal de Gynecologie Obstetrique et Biologie de la Reproduction 10(5): 459-464
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0368-2315 PMID: 7320444 Document Number: 169712
The authors describe, as a result of studying a homogeneous series of 47 tumours that were operated on, the effect on the gonad function and on sterility. Although most of these tumours are accompanied by the classical amenorrhoea-galactorrhoea syndrome, it is pointed out that it may just present as simple poor progesterone effect without a major upset in menstruation. There are two difficult problems that are characteristic of these hyperprolactinaemia-producing tumors : that, that states that a micro-adenoma is responsible for the hyperprolactinaemia when there is no change in the shape of the sella of the pituitary fossa and when the level of prolactin and the dynamic tests are unable to give absolute proof that there is an organic reason for the condition; that of the decision as to what to do therapeutically, either medically or surgically, with a prolactin-producing micro-adenoma because nobody knows the "natural history" of these tumours. The present attitude of the authors is not to operate on these micro-adenomata except when the woman wants to have a baby and has been treated for at least one year with bromocriptine.