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J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2018; 79(04): 394-400
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1615748
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Comparison of Male and Female Prolactinoma Patients Requiring Surgical Intervention

Frederick Yoo
1   Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States
,
Carmen Chan
1   Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States
,
Edward C. Kuan
1   Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States
,
Marvin Bergsneider
2   Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States
,
Marilene B. Wang
1   Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

16 July 2017

19 November 2017

Publication Date:
26 December 2017 (online)

Also available atMedOne
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Abstract

Objectives Prolactinomas are the most common functional pituitary adenoma. Symptoms of a prolactinoma stem from hormonal causes (menstrual irregularities, galactorrhea, and reduced libido) or from tumor mass effect (visual changes and headache). Gender differences have been noted in prolactinomas, with males presenting with larger tumors and sequelae of mass effect, while females present commonly with hormonal symptoms. The purpose of this study is to evaluate differences in patient and disease characteristics, and outcomes between male and female prolactinoma patients undergoing surgery.

Design This was a retrospective chart review.

Setting This was done at the tertiary medical center.

Participants The medical records of prolactinomas patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgery between March 2008 and August 2016 were reviewed.

Main Outcome Measures Demographic information, tumor characteristics, and treatment characteristics and outcomes were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-squared test or Student's t-test as applicable.

Results Seventy-nine patients were identified, 22 males and 57 females. The average age for males was 38 years and for females was 35 years. Males were more likely to present with decreased libido (p < 0.0001), whereas females more often presented with galactorrhea (p < 0.0001) and menstrual irregularities. Tumor size was larger in males (p = 0.0044) with higher likelihood of suprasellar extension (p = 0.0409) and cavernous sinus invasion (p = 0.0026). Males were more likely to have a subtotal resection rather than gross total resection (p = 0.0086) and less likely to have normalization of prolactin levels following surgery (p = 0.0019)

Conclusion Male prolactinoma patients tend to have larger tumors with more aggressive features. This may have a role in the differences in outcomes noted in this study.

Keywords

pituitary adenomas - prolactinoma - gender - endoscopic

Note

A portion of the data presented in this article was presented at the North American Skull Base Society meeting on March 3–5, 2017, in New Orleans, LA.