What is it?

A benign, non-cancerous, pituitary gland tumor is a type of growth that will not spread outside your gland to the rest of your body. It may grow locally, and cause problems because of it, but it is usually not a life-threatening disease.
The Pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is a pea size organ located right below you brain. Its main job is to secrete different hormones to your blood- each group of cells secretes a different type of hormone.
An abnormal growth of the pituitary gland can lead to a high or low level of hormones. Another effect of this overgrowth appears if it presses nearby parts of your brain and causes nerve damage, most commonly the one responsible for your vision.
A Prolactinoma is the most common overgrowth of the pituitary. It secrets the hormone prolactin.
This overgrowth is benign, not cancerous, but it can cause different symptoms.

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Additional names

This group contains additional names:
- Macroprolactinoma
- Microprolactinoma
- Prolactinoma
- Benign neoplasm of craniopharyngeal duct
- Pituitary Microadenoma
- Benign Neoplasm of Pituitary Gland

Signs & symptoms

Other that vision problems, you may experience headache, decreased sex drive (libido) and bone loss.
In women, prolactinoma can cause irregular menstrual cycle, trouble getting pregnant and milky discharge from your nipples.
In man it can cause erectile dysfunction, and decreased body hair growth.

Diagnosis

Blood tests- to measure hormone levels.
Imaging- MRI of your brain- to measure the size of the overgrowth

Treatment

The treatment for prolactinomas vary depending on it size and symptoms.
Medication is normally the first choice of treatment. A prolactinoma is usually treated with Dopamine agonists.
Surgery to remove the prolactinoma is needed if the medication causes Intolerable side effects, or the overgrowth is very large.

☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.

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