[Structure of an interdisciplinary pituitary outpatient care unit at the University Hospital of Leipzig and results for treatment of prolactin and growth hormone secreting pituitary tumors].
BACKGROUND
Treatment of patients with pituitary adenomas is complex and involves several medical specialties. At the Medical Center of the University of Leipzig, Germany, an interdisciplinary pituitary outpatient care unit has been established for 6 years.


METHODS
The interdisciplinary collaboration and the outcome of patients with growth hormone-(GH-) and prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas are described. Moreover, therapeutic strategies for patients with hormonally active pituitary adenomas are presented and discussed.


RESULTS
In patients suffering from GH-producing adenomas, a remission could be achieved in 80% (microadenomas) and 40% (macroadenomas) of the cases, respectively. This is comparable to major published studies. Furthermore, prolactinomas decreased in size during treatment in at least 75% of all cases depending on the initial size of the lesion which is also comparable to data from other groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Taken together, an interdisciplinary approach improves outcome and quality of care of patients with hormonally active pituitary adenomas.
Wiesner
Tobias D
TD
Medizinische Klinik III, Universität, Leipzig.
Trantakis
Christos
C
Meixensberger
Jürgen
J
Koch
Christian A
CA
Zimmer
Claus
C
Paschke
Ralf
R
D000172:Acromegaly / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D000236:Adenoma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D015175:Prolactinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone