What is Prolactinoma
A prolactinoma is a benign tumor of the pituitary gland that produces a hormone called prolactin. It is the most common type of pituitary tumor. Symptoms of prolactinoma are caused...
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Pregnancy and Macroadenoma
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I have a Pituitary Macroadenoma that I have had for about 5 years now. It has not changed in size since it was discovered. I have had no treatment for it aside from a very brief trial of Bromocriptine.
When first discovered I was told by my surgeon that surgery would pretty much negate me from having children, so I have opted out of surgery and it has just been monitored with yearly MRI's, and trips to the Opthamologist, seeing as the adenoma is touching my optic nerve. I have had no vision change either. I recently got married and was wanting to start a family. My doctor had me see an Endocrinologist because I have a lot of questions regarding risks of being pregnant with this adenoma. I am just wondering if there is anyone that has been pregnant with the same type of thing. Then Endo speicialist is telling me that she thinks I could lose my vision because of the fact the adenoma is touching my optic nerve, and because the pituitary gland increases in size during pregnancy. She wants to talk to someone that specializes in the pituitary before she gives me definite advice on it. But if there is anyone that has gone through this I would be interested in hearing the advice, or any advice anyone else has been given regarding pregnancy and macroadenoma touching the optic nerve. Posted on 04/26/09, 12:04 am |
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I had a pituitary adenoma that was undiagnosed for about 7 years. Unlike the others that I have read, I had 2 surgeries and now am just left with tumor cells. I am waiting for gamma knife radiation, but my doctor has never doubted me being able to have children.
Medicane was an option at the start, but my doctor said it would have no effect on my tumor. It was pushing on my optic nerve and I do have damage to it, but it could be worse. I am wanting to start a family, but can't be pregnant and receive radiation treatments too. I called two days ago and it could still be a year before I receive treatment and they said that the tumor could come back, but there are no studies showing it will for sure. I think that my tumor could come back when ever it wants anyway. I feel like this tumor has put my life on hold for a little over a year now and I want to move on. I understand what you are going through. Is surgery not an option? 
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I am not interested in the surgery. From what I have read and heard from people that have had it, its not something I want to go through. Hearing you have had it twice, just reinforces my feeling.
My endocrinologist told me that treating these tumours medically is the first option. Because fo the complications and the fact that surgery may have to be performed more than once, surgery is usually not a first option. It was my surgeon that told me that having children after the surgery would more than likely be difficult as doing the surgery more than likely do some damage to the pituitary gland. My endocrinologist agreed with this. Right now she said they are going to try and shrink with the Bromocriptine. My tumour is also pressing on my optic nerve but I have not had any vision damage. My visual field testing has been totally normal. My bloodwork has also all been normal aside from a slightly elevated prolactin level, my level the last time I had the blood test done was 46. My doctor told me that the meds would more than likely lower my prolactin level and should help to shrink the tumour. The gamma knife treatment I was told would take much longer to shrink the tumour. She said they could eventually combine it with the medication, but I'm not really interested in radiation.
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You are in my thoughts and prayers that the medication will shrink you tumor. I know that 2 surgeries doesn't sound good, but I am tumor free and I recovered from both with in 6 weeks and actually was back at work 4 weeks after my second surgery.
I understand that the same recovery and treatments are not going to work for everyone. I can't imagine going through this as long as you have had to. I 'm thinking positive things for you and your husband. I know that the two of you will get through this and things will work out for the best. Again, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
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