REVIEWS  MEDICAL TREATMENT OF PITUITARY TUMORS 

Minerva Endocrinologica 2016 September;41(3):341-50

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Pregnancy and pituitary adenomas

Andrea GLEZER, Raquel S. JALLAD, Marcio C. MACHADO, Maria C. FRAGOSO, Marcello D. BRONSTEIN ✉

Neuroendocrine Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hospital das Clinicas, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Infertility is frequent in patients harboring pituitary adenomas. The mechanisms involved include hypogonadism secondary to hormonal hypersecretion (prolactin, growth hormone and cortisol), stalk disconnection and pituitary damage. With the improvement of clinical and surgical treatment, pregnancy in women harboring pituitary adenomas turned into a reality. Pituitary hormonal hyper- and hyposecretion influences pregnancy outcomes, as well as pregnancy can interfere on pituitary tumors, especially in prolactinomas. We review literature about specific follow-up and management in pregnant women harboring prolactinomas, acromegaly, or Cushings disease and the impact of clinical and surgical treatment on each condition.