Skip to main content

Prolactinomas

Meaning

Prolactinomas are the most prevalent type of pituitary adenoma, characterized by a benign tumor originating from the lactotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland that autonomously and excessively secretes the hormone prolactin. This resulting state of hyperprolactinemia significantly disrupts the normal hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, leading to classic clinical manifestations such as galactorrhea and hypogonadism in women, and symptoms like decreased libido and erectile dysfunction in men. Clinical management is primarily directed at reducing the pathological prolactin levels and decreasing the tumor volume.