Although
pituitary tumor research continues to unravel the mysteries of disordered cell growth, the prolactinoma cause remains unknown. Most prolactinomas are sporadic, meaning they are not genetically passed from parents to offspring.
Symptoms of a Prolactinoma
The symptoms of prolactinoma can vary among individuals.
Prolactinoma symptoms also vary depending on the:
- Size of the prolactinoma
- Where the prolactinoma is located within the pituitary gland
- Gender.
Prolactinoma symptoms caused by high prolactin levels can include:
- Infertility.
- Changes in menstruation. In some women, periods may disappear altogether. In others, periods may become irregular or menstrual flow may change.
- Women who are not pregnant or nursing may begin producing breast milk.
- Loss of libido (interest in sex).
- Vaginal dryness (and painful intercourse).
- Headaches.
- Eye problems caused by the enlarged pituitary pressing against nearby eye nerves.
These possible prolactinoma symptoms are not always a sign of a prolactinoma. Other medical conditions can cause these symptoms as well. A person experiencing possible symptoms of a prolactinoma should see his or her doctor so that the problem can be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.
In order to make a prolactinoma diagnosis, the doctor will ask a number of questions about a person's medical history, including questions about:
- Current symptoms
- Whether there is a family history of any medical problems
- Any medicines the patient is taking.
The doctor will also typically perform a physical exam, looking for any signs of a prolactinoma, and order certain tests.
These tests can include:
- Blood tests to measure prolactin and thyroid hormone levels
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Eye exam.
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