Galactorrhea: A Study of 235 Cases, Including 48 with Pituitary Tumors

Abstract

An analysis of 235 patients with galactorrhea (5.5 per cent males) showed that 20 per cent of all patients, and 34 per cent of women with associated amenorrhea, had radiologically evident pituitary tumors; these patients had the highest serum prolactin concentrations. The largest single group (32 per cent) consisted of women with idiopathic galactorrhea without amenorrhea; prolactin was normal in 86 per cent of these cases. Five patients had the empty-sella syndrome. Prolactin response was tested in selected patients by thyrotropin-releasing hormone, chlorpromazine, L-dopa, 24-hour sampling and other means. Tests with thyrotropin-releasing hormone were most useful in identifying patients with pituitary tumors. Surgery and radiotherapy lowered prolactin to a similar degree in patients with tumor, but galactorrhea, and amenorrhea often persisted after treatment. The ergot derivatives, bromergocryptine and lergotrile mesylate, lowered prolactin in all 18 patients with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia or pituitary tumor, stopped galactorrhea in over 50 per cent, restored menses in over 70 per cent, and allowed pregnancy in three.

Comparative endocrinology of cycling and non-cycling Asian (Elephas maximus) and African (Loxodonta africana) elephants

“…Tumor growth is generally slow because prolactin concentrations often remain stable for years (Gomez et al, 1977;Kleinberg et al, 1977;Robbins, 1986). The earlier finding that prolactin in the NZP female remained unchanged for at least 7.5 years also suggests it is not a rapidly progressive disorder.…”

Goitrous Hypothyroidism: Changing Clinical Profile

“…Hyperprolactinemia, serum PRL levels not exceeding 60 ng/mL, have been reported in about 20% of the hypothyroid 7,8 patients, and it normalizes with thyroid replacement therapy. This series had five cases with galactorrhea, with serum PRL varying from 33 to 47 ng/mL.…”

The autonomy of prolactin secretion in patients with prolactin producing tumor.

“…Although patients with PRLproducing tumor (PRL-noma) Show PRL responses to exogenous stimuli, such responses are less frequent compared to normal subjects (Tolis et al 1974;Boyd et al 1977;Crosignani et al 1977;Kleinberg et al 1977;Barbarino et al 1978;Lankford et al 1981). However, it is not clear whether there are some differences in PRL responsiveness among these patients as we have reported clear differences in Gi secretion in patients with acromegaly (Hanew et al 1980a).…”