Galactorrhea after radical mastectomy
Fukunishi, H.; Takeda, Y.; Saitoh, H.
Kobe Journal of Medical Sciences 30(5-6): 89-98
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0023-2513 PMID: 6543561 Document Number: 230517
In a 36-yr-old Japanese woman contralateral galactorrhea occurred .apprx. 1 mo. after standard radical mastectomy for right breast adenocarcinoma. Base-line levels of plasma prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH) and cortisol were slightly higher than normal upper limits on the 21st day after the 1st notice of galactorrhea. Other laboratory findings were normal. Stimulation by TRH further elevated plasma PRL. However, a block of the bilateral intercostal nerves caused rapid and remarkable decrease in plasma PRL and GH, which state continued thereafter. Galactorrhea finally ceased around 100 days after the block. It appears that the present postoperation galactorrhea (hyperprolactinemia) is caused by a disturbance of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis via topical irritations of the peripheral intercostal nerves after mastectomy.