Question:
Anyone diagnosed with a Prolactinoma tumor pre or post-op?

Since having Open RNY in January, I have had only one period and have been lactating in both breasts. I stopped nursing my daughter over a year ago after an unsuccessful two week attempt. I didn't think too much about either of the symptoms as my surgeon said that after this type of major surgery your body gets "confused". However, I came across a previous post in the library that mentioned that these symptoms are sometimes caused by a benign tumor of the pituitary gland. I did some research on the web which confirmed that these are classic symptoms of a Prolactinoma (pituitary gland tumor). I can't get into my ob/gyn for another week so I was hoping to be able to get info from someone else who has been through this. P.S. I am not yet panicking as it seems that this type of tumor isn't life threatening...just a bit of a nuisance which requires medication to control. Thanks for listening!    — Julie K. (posted on June 10, 2002)

June 10, 2002
Hi...I had a benign prolactinoma removed via transphenoidal surgery (through my inside upper lip and sinuses) in 1982. My symptoms were high prolactin level in blood, milk coming from breasts, and no periods. The medication given to control it (I forget the name) did not work on me. That's why I had the surgery, by the way done by the doctor who invented this type of surgery, Nichola Zervas, M.D. at Massachusetts General Hospital. My tumor was pressing slightly on my optic nerve, so it had to come out. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 10, 2002
I to have a Prolactinoma which was diagnosed by MRI in Feb 2002. In short I had the common S/S and went for a physical and my blood work came back with elevated Prolactin. Prolactin is the hormone that supports pregnancy and lactation to breast feed, However after ceasing that process you should not have hardly any Prolactin Hormone but if your Pituitary Gland has a growth (tumor) it can cause secretion of extra hormones. Bieng that the Pituitary Gland regulates ALL the hormones of the body any of them can be elevated. Prolactin and Cortisol are the most common. So the main concerns are that hormones stay in range wich is done by medications, that usually helps menstration and stop the milk while also allowing to become pregnant, and monitoring the size. If they grow too big they press on your optic nerve and cause visual disturbances. Then they have to be taken out now through your nose into the sinus area. It sounds like you probally do have one but most research says 1/3 of all people probally have one if you were to do the MRI on everyone but only 5-10% have major symptoms and the odds for it to be malignant are even lower but a MRI is the only tool to properly diagnose. All in all it is no big deal unless it contiues to grow despite medication and even though the surgical removal is pretty safe these days if done by a skilled neurosurgeon they say there is good chances a reacurring tumor will arise. Hope this helps and Have your whole Blood work up done to see if you need an MRI P.S. My Prolactin stayed normal for 1 year after my son was born before it recently spiked high but I have had the breast milk for now 3 years but I am like 99% this tumor has been there way before my pregnancy it was just aggrivated by hormone changes with having a baby. So if you have the S/S and your labs come back norm you still may need to have the MRI. I know I wish I had just done that in the first place because it is just longer I had to deal with irregular periods and the milk. A Endocrinologist is who specializes in Pituitary disorders! Good Luck
   — Rebecca B.

June 10, 2002
I just remembered the name of the medication that did not work on me...bromocriptine. I also wanted to say that Tegretol gave me the "leaky breasts" symptom, and is known to raise prolactin levels. So that's something else to investigate if you take Tegretol (don't know if you do).
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 12, 2002
I was diagnosed with a prolactinoma 8 years ago and just had wls 2 months ago. Im waiting to get back in with the endocrinologist soon. Ive been on several meds for this but can seem to tolerate them so we just left the tumor alone. I also was lactating 2 years after hving my son in 1992. they ordered an MRI and found i had the tumor. Its not life threatening at all.
   — PAMELA C.