What tests should be done for prolactin cell adenoma

Prolactin cell adenoma is common in middle-aged and elderly women. This disease can be said to be a tumor problem. Naturally, its treatment and prevention cannot be ignored. Only in this way can we minimize its impact and harm to our body. The following are some clinical manifestations of prolactin cell adenoma and examination issues.

Prolactin cell adenoma is the most common type of pituitary adenoma, accounting for about 30%. Under the electron microscope, the cytoplasm is mostly composed of sparse small secretory granules, and the PRL level in the blood is increased. In women, galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndrome may occur in the early stages, so the tumor is relatively small when it is discovered. In men and older women, symptoms of hyperprolactinemia are less obvious, so the tumor is larger when it is discovered.

Clinical manifestations:

The main manifestations are amenorrhea, galactorrhea, infertility, and in severe cases, loss of armpit hair, pale and delicate skin, increased subcutaneous fat, as well as fatigue, tiredness, drowsiness, headache, and decreased sexual function. In men, symptoms include decreased libido, impotence, breast hyperplasia, sparse beard, and in severe cases, atrophy of reproductive organs, decreased sperm count, infertility, etc. There are not many cases of male to female changes.

examine:

1. Endocrinology examination: The endocrine radioimmunoassay is used to directly measure the pituitary growth hormone, prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, pituitary adenoma-slice hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, melanin stimulating hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, etc., which is very helpful for the early diagnosis of pituitary adenoma.

2. CT scan: After enhancement with intravenous contrast agent, a pituitary adenoma of 5 mm in size can be shown. Smaller tumors still present difficulties.

3. Imaging examination: Skull X-ray, CT scan or MRI examination can help diagnose pituitary adenoma. Sella turcica tomography often shows enlargement of the sella turcica and thinning or destruction of the bone at the bottom of the sella turcica. Enhanced coronal, sagittal, and axial CT scans can be used to show the size of the tumor and its extension above, below, and beside the sella turcica, and to understand the degree of sphenoid sinus pneumatization. MRI can more clearly show the morphology of the tumor and its relationship with surrounding structures, and is especially valuable for the diagnosis of pituitary microadenomas. According to the findings of imaging examinations and referring to Hardy's pituitary adenoma grading standard, pituitary adenomas can be divided into five grades, namely, grade 1: the tumor diameter is less than 10 mm and grows in the sella turcica; grade 2: the tumor extends suprasellarly up to 10 mm, filling the suprasellar cistern; grade 3: the tumor extends suprasellarly up to 10 mm, lifting the third ventricle; grade 4: the tumor extends suprasellarly up to 20 mm, filling the anterior part of the third ventricle; grade 5: the tumor extends suprasellarly up to >30 mm, reaching the foramen of the lateral ventricle, often accompanied by obstructive hydrocephalus. In this classification, grade 1 is microadenoma, grades 2 and 3 are macroadenomas, and grades 4 and 5 are giant adenomas.

Treatment measures:

1. Surgical treatment: mainly includes craniotomy and transsphenoidal surgery.

2. Radiotherapy: It has a certain effect on pituitary adenomas. It can control the development of tumors and sometimes shrink tumors, resulting in improved visual field. The radiotherapy in our department is better than ordinary radiotherapy and can protect the optic nerve from radiation damage.

3. Drug treatment: Bromocriptine is a semi-synthetic ergotamine bioalkaloid that can stimulate the dopamine receptors of pituitary cells to reduce the effect of prolactin in the blood. Taking bromocriptine can shrink prolactinoma, restore menstruation and ovulation, and inhibit pathological galactorrhea. However, bromocriptine cannot fundamentally cure prolactinoma. After stopping the drug, the tumor may continue to grow and the symptoms will reappear.

After understanding the common sense above, everyone should have a more comprehensive understanding of this disease. If you want to better ensure your health in life and avoid the occurrence of this disease, then you need to learn more about it and reduce the harm as much as possible. Therefore, everyone should not ignore these common sense.