Prolactinoma
Definition
A prolactinoma is a non-cancerous pituitary tumor that produces a hormone called prolactin. This results in too much prolactin in the blood.
Alternative Names
Prolactinoma - females; Adenoma - secreting; Prolactin-secreting ademoma of the pituitaryCauses
Prolactin is a hormone that triggers lactation or milk production.
Prolactinoma is the most common type of non-cancerous pituitary tumor (adenoma), making up at least 30% of all pituitary adenomas.
Prolactinomas occur most commonly in people under age 40. They are about five times more common in women than men, but are rare in children.
At least half of all prolactinomas are very small (less than 1 cm or 3/8ths of an inch in diameter). These micro-prolactinomas are more common in women. Many small tumors remain small and never get larger.
Larger tumors, called macro-prolactinomas, are more common in men. Prolactinomas in men tend to occur at an older age and can grow to a large size before any symptoms appear.
References
Melmed S, Kleinberg D. Anterior Pituitary. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR. Kronenberg: Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 8.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by
URAC, also known as the American
Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is
the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and
accountability, verified by independent audit.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2005 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.