A double pituitary adenoma presenting as a prolactin-secreting tumor with partial response to medical therapy. Case report

Endocr Pathol. 2010 Jun;21(2):135-8. doi: 10.1007/s12022-009-9104-0.

Abstract

Double pituitary adenomas are difficult to recognize pre-operatively as only a single mass may be appreciated on imaging. We present herein a giant prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma in a middle-aged man that had responded partially to dopamine agonist therapy. The excised specimen demonstrated a double adenoma. The prolactin-producing one displayed the expected morphological changes resulting from medical therapy, while the other, a gonadotroph adenoma, did not. The failure of tumor shrinkage can be attributed to the presence of a double adenoma, a previously unreported cause of failure of medical therapy in prolactinoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / pathology*
  • Adenoma / therapy
  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms, Male / pathology
  • Cabergoline
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Ergolines / therapeutic use
  • Gonadotrophs / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / therapy
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / therapy
  • Neurofibromatosis 1 / complications
  • Neurosurgical Procedures
  • Prolactinoma / pathology*
  • Prolactinoma / therapy

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Ergolines
  • Cabergoline