title: Familial prolactinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Apart from the rare association with type I multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN-1), familial types of prolactinoma have not been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight hyperprolactinaemic patients in four families and 18 of their first and second-degree relatives (parents, children and grandchildren) were examined. Hormone levels were measured, as well as other biochemical parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prolactinoma was diagnosed in more than one member of each of the four families.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Familial prolactinoma is a distinct entity which is probably due to a genetic mutation promoting lactotroph proliferation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Endocrinology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berezin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karasik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D015175:Prolactinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*