Reduction in Size of a Pituitary Tumor by Bromocriptine Therapy

Abstract

SINCE the development of specific assays for prolactin^{1 , 2} it has been possible to demonstrate that a large proportion of pituitary tumors secrete prolactin.³ Until the advent of bromocriptine, operation and irradiation had been used as the primary treatments for such tumors.⁴ The introduction of bromocriptine, an ergot derivative⁵ and dopamine agonist,⁶ into therapeutic regimens for pituitary disease is recent and is still being evaluated. It is a potent inhibitor of prolactin secretion. Acting primarily at the level of the pituitary,⁷ but with a possible hypothalamic effect not yet excluded,⁸ it lowers prolactin secretion in patients with hyperprolactinemia from any cause, . . .