Clinical Characteristics of Macroprolactinomas and Response to Medical Therapy

Abstract

Introduction: The presentation of macroprolactinomas and response to treatment may vary according to age, sex and tumour characteristics. To analyse clinical phenotype, biochemical and radiological characteristics of macroprolactinomas presenting to a tertiary care centre. A retrospective observational study from January 2018 to December 2022. Methods: Thirty diagnosed cases (18 females, 12 males) of macroprolactinomas were included and followed up for one year. Results: The most common presentation was headache (73%), visual disturbances (50%), galactorrhoea (33.3%) and loss of libido (26.6%) along with menstrual cycle disturbances (94%), and infertility (55%) in females. Duration of symptoms (2.22 ± 2.87 vs 4.61 ± 3.4 years), tumour size (4.8 ± 2.09 vs 2.75 ± 1.24 cm) and prolactin levels (5153.5 ± 4755.3 vs 1803.5 ± 3785.5 ng/ml) were different significantly between males and females. Good response to medical therapy was observed in 84% of the treatment-naive patients. Conclusion: Macroprolactinomas in males present with shorter duration of symptoms, larger size, higher prolactin levels and more resistant tumours, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and aggressive management. Medical therapy remains the treatment of choice irrespective of gender.

Keywords

• gender
• macroprolactinoma
• medical therapy
• pituitary tumours