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Prolactin dynamics following transsphenoidal hypophysectomy for metastatic carcinoma of the breast
Author(s) -
McMillin J. M.,
Seal U. S.,
Theologides A.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197705)39:5<2254::aid-cncr2820390544>3.0.co;2-6
Subject(s) - hypophysectomy , prolactin , medicine , endocrinology , prolactin cell , thyrotropin releasing hormone , pituitary gland , hormone , dynamics (music) , physics , acoustics
In nine patients who had undergone trans‐sphenoidal hypophysectomy, prolactin dynamics were studied with intravenous thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). Residual prolactin secretory reserve was demonstrated in seven. Five patients were TRH tested both before and after trans‐sphenoidal hypophysectomy. Hypophysectomy did not alter base line prolactin concentration but did decrease prolactin response to TRH from 55 ng/ml to 21 ng/ml (p > 0.001). Post‐hypophysectomy L‐Dopa suppressed baseline prolactin concentrations to undetectable levels. There was no correlation between alterations in prolactin dynamics and tumor response to hypophysectomy. Trans‐sphenoidal hypophysectomy is not effective in ablating prolactin secretion and serious doubts are raised about the role of altered prolactin dynamics in inducing breast cancer remission.