title: Surgery for prolactinomas.
abstract: A large proportion of prolactin secreting tumours of the pituitary gland are treatable by dopamine agonist drugs. However certain subgroups of these patients are better managed by surgical excision. The indications for surgery in prolactinomas remain controversial and this paper attempts to clarify these with illustrative cases. The factors favouring a surgical approach include poor tolerance of long term medical therapy, progression of visual deficits or recurrence while on medical treatment, cystic change in the tumour with pressure effects, CSF fistula secondary to tumour shrinkage and prophylactic surgery in tumours anticipated to cause CSF leak following medical therapy. The size and invasiveness of the tumour and the prolactin level are also important determinants of treatment planning. The indications for surgery in prolactinomas are discussed and illustrative cases are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi.
authors.forename: Ashfaq A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Razzaq
authors.forename: Rashid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jooma
authors.forename: Shahid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011388:Prolactin; D015175:Prolactinoma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D011388:Prolactin