Medical management of pituitary adenomas: the special case of management of the pregnant woman

Pituitary. 2002;5(2):99-107. doi: 10.1023/a:1022364514971.

Abstract

The development of efficacious surgical and medical therapies for pituitary adenomas as well as the improvement of hormone therapy for ovulation induction has made pregnancy possible for women harboring pituitary tumors. However, gestational risks due to the possibility of tumor growth during pregnancy, mainly in women with macroadenomas, raise a concern. Bromocriptine has a well-established role for prolactinoma treatment before and during pregnancy, even when a symptomatic tumor increase occurs. It can also be used in acromegaly, despite its poorer results. Somatostatin analogs have been used in acromegaly even during pregnancy with uneventful outcomes, but their safety in pregnancy is not well established, yet. The largest experience with medical treatment for Cushing's disease during pregnancy involves metyrapone, a steroidogenesis inhibitor, without descriptions of congenital abnormalities. Concerning clinically non-functioning pituitary tumors, ovulation induction or even in vitro fertilization are frequently needed. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on therapeutic strategies to restore fertility as well as gestational and post-gestational management of patients with pituitary adenomas, focusing mainly on the role of medical treatment for different tumor types.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acromegaly / etiology
  • Adenoma / complications
  • Adenoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adenoma / surgery
  • Cushing Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Cushing Syndrome / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / complications
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / surgery
  • Prolactinoma / drug therapy
  • Prolactinoma / pathology