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"   Question I have been diagnosed with a pituritary microadenoma and I am trying to find some information on this subject.  It is causing me to have high prolactin levels.   Answer The pituitary gland is situated in the front part (frontal lobe) of the brain and is involved in the hormone (endocrine) system of the body.  A prolactinoma is a pituitary tumour that causes excess secretion of the hormone prolactin, which is a protein hormone stimulating the production of milk in females.  There is no known normal function of prolactin in males.  Although not strictly a malignancy, the surrounding tissues can sometimes become invaded if the gland enlarges.  It is therefore viewed as a tumour, serving no useful purpose and growing at the expense of the affected individual.  Only around 3 out of 10,000 men and 1 out of 1000 women will develop such a tumour.  In women the tumour can lead to a lack of periods unrelated to the menopause, abnormal breast milk production, decreased sexual interest and infertility.  In men, the breasts may become enlarged (gynaecomastia) and they too can develop decreased sexual interest, impotence (relating to reduced testosterone levels) and infertility. Treatment is essentially symptomatic, that is, treating the symptoms outlined above.  Bromocriptine is a medication used to return prolactin levels to normal in both men and women.  Larger tumours (more common in men) or those resistant to bromocriptine may respond to surgical resection, radiation therapy or a combination of treatments. Unfortunately, there are currently no long-term studies available for information on prognosis (probable outcome), tumour regrowth being the main complication.  Yours sincerely The NetDoctor Medical Team  Other Qs &amp;amp;amp; As Barrett&amp;#039;s oesophagus Blood in my sperm Can I be a bone marrow donor? Can leukaemia be passed on? Can pregnancy cause cancer? Cancer confusion Dizzy spells in an 88 year old Does hair dye cause cancer? Does my biopsy mean I have cancer? Hodgkin\u2019s disease while pregnant How can I donate my placenta for cancer research? I have a tumour but want to get pregnant I have multiple endocrine neoplasia I want to get fit after having had cancer I&amp;#039;m afraid to go to hospital for a check-up I&amp;#039;m not happy with my nylon wig Is essential thrombocythaemia a type of cancer? Is this cough a sign of cancer? Lymphatic leukaemia My son has a high level of prolactin Pre-cancerous growth on the opening of the womb Rectal spasms Tell me about the CA125 blood test Two types of cancer Underarm lumps What are lucencies? What does this type of melanoma mean? What is a teratoma? What is a yolk sac tumour? What is an astrocytoma? What is Bowen&amp;#039;s disease? What is Goodpasture&amp;#039;s syndrome? What is Mantel cell lymphoma? Where can I learn more about cancer? Who can my sister talk to about having bladder cancer? Why haven&amp;#039;t the doctors told us about new cures? Why is pneumonia called &amp;#039;the old man&amp;#039;s friend&amp;#039;? Will a lipoma become cancerous? Will I ever have children after treatment for Hodgkin&amp;#039;s disease? Will I get Hodgkin&amp;#039;s disease again? Will tamoxifen affect my liver? Worry over family history of thyroid disease  Last updated 02.11.2011 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ask-the-expert/cancer/a10384/my-tumour-is-giving-me-high-prolactin-levels/>