Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Male macroprolactinomas are very rare and more invasive compared to female ones. So, they are few reports concerning their response to medical treatment. We aimed to appreciate their response to Bromocriptine: the only product available in our country.

Subjects and methods: 55 men (mean age: 36.3 years) with mean height pituitary tumor =38.3 mm (12–118) and mean PRL: 2942 ng/ml (132–28 000) were analyzed. Bromocriptine was given twice/day, mean dose: 24.8 mg/day (3.75–80), and mean duration: 32 months (1–195). After taking Bromocriptine, our patients underwent clinical, biological, visual and radiological control based on cerebral MRI.

Results: The treatment was considered as irregular in 57%. Side effects were present in 45% (hypotension and/or gastro intestinal troubles). Mean PRL was significantly reduced (2942 vs 192 ng/ml, P<0.001). PRL was normalized in 70% and significantly reduced in 93%. Tumor height decreased significantly (38.3 mm vs 18, P<0.001). Pituitary process disappeared in 20%, was significantly reduced (26–91%) in 69%. A decrease <20% was seen in 9%. The tumour increased in 1.8%. Headaches and visual abnormalities improved in almost all cases.

Conclusion: Although the treatment was irregular in 57%, the response to Bromocriptine was very good in male macroprolactinomas, as PRL was normalized or had significantly decreased in 93%, and tumor shrinkage was observed in more than 89%.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.