Prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors Prolactin (PRL) is usually >200 μg/L, and >300 μg/L confirms the diagnosis.
Prolactin is a protein hormone secreted by prolactin cells in the anterior pituitary gland. Pituitary tumors are tumors that occur in the pituitary gland, often also called pituitary adenomas, and are one of the common neuroendocrine tumors, accounting for 10% to 15% of central nervous system tumors. The vast majority of pituitary adenomas are benign tumors. Pituitary tumors can be classified according to the size of the tumor and the function of hormone secretion. Depending on the size of the tumor, pituitary tumors are classified as pituitary microadenomas (tumors >1 cm in diameter) and pituitary adenomas (tumors ≤1 cm in diameter). Depending on the hormone secretion, pituitary tumors can be divided into hormone-secreting pituitary tumors and non-functional adenomas. The four types of hormone-secreting pituitary tumors are: (1) prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors; (2) growth hormone-secreting pituitary tumors; (3) adrenocorticotropin-secreting pituitary tumors; and (4) thyrotropin-secreting pituitary tumors.
When pituitary prolactinomas secrete too much, they are likely to cause lesions in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, and are called prolactinomas in clinical practice. Among the functional tumors of the pituitary gland, the incidence of prolactinoma is the highest, and the incidence is higher in women than in men.
Therefore, when prolactin is >200μg/L, regular consultation and treatment should be carried out according to medical advice.