Current indications for the surgical treatment of prolactinomas

The purpose of this study was to examine the current indications for transsphenoidal surgery in the prolactinoma patient population, and to determine the outcomes of patients who undergo such operations. Transsphenoidal surgery may be indicated in prolactinoma patients who are resistant and/or intolerant to dopamine agonist (DA) therapy. We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of prolactinoma patients over a 6 year period (April 2008 to April 2014) at a large volume academic center. The median follow-up time was 12.0 months (range: 3–69). All patients who were included in the study (n = 66) were treated with DA therapy and subsequently underwent an endonasal transsphenoidal operation. Of the 66 patients, 44 were women (mean age 34.2 years) and 22 were men (mean 41.7 years). There were 29 (43.9%) intolerant patients and 29 (43.9%) resistant patients. Postoperatively, 18 intolerant patients (66.7%) had normalized prolactin levels without the need for DA therapy, and five (17.2%) required DA to normalize their prolactin levels (p = 0.02). Six patients (20.6%) had persistently elevated prolactin levels but were no longer receiving DA treatment (p < 0.001). Postoperatively, 10 resistant patients (35.7%) had normal prolactin levels without DA therapy, and seven patients (25%) were treated with DA therapy to normalize their prolactin levels (p = 0.22). Eight patients (28.6%) had supraphysiologic prolactin levels but were no longer taking a DA (p < 0.001). Three patients (10.7%) were hyperprolactinemic, despite postoperative treatment with DA (p < 0.001). After an appropriate treatment interval with multiple DA, radiographic follow-up, and careful clinical evaluation, prolactinoma patients can be offered surgery as an effective therapeutic option.