PRL secreting adenomas in male patients.
Prolactinomas are the most frequent pituitary tumors and their frequency varies with age and sex, occurring most frequently in females between 20-50 yr-old. In men, hyperprolactinaemia is often present for many years without symptoms, as generally the most important symptoms are the decrease in libido and/or sexual potency both underestimated by the majority of the patients. Prolactin (PRL) plays a role in the process of spermatogenesis, and normal serum PRL levels are required for normal testicular function. On the other hand, hyperprolactinaemia has multiple negative effects on the gonadal axis. As a consequences hyperprolactinemic males show alteration of sexual potency and seminal fluid quality. Cabergoline treatments is able to induce normalization of PRL levels and a reduction of tumor mass in the majority of patients and consequently restoring the normal semen quality and ameliorating the quality of life of men with pituitary PRL-secreting adenoma.
Ciccarelli
Antonio
A
Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, Federico II University, via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
Guerra
Ermelinda
E
De Rosa
Michele
M
Milone
Francesco
F
Zarrilli
Stefano
S
Lombardi
Gaetano
G
Colao
Annamaria
A
D000367:Age Factors; D000077465:Cabergoline; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004873:Ergolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D008297:Male; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D015175:Prolactinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology
D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D004873:Ergolines; D011388:Prolactin; D000077465:Cabergoline