Medical treatment of prolactin and growth hormone secreting pituitary tumors

Advances in medical treatment of prolactinomas and acromegaly in the last 20 years are analyzed. Dopaminergic drugs as bromocriptine, lisuride pergolide and terguride successfully control hyperprolactinemia, reduce tumor size and cause clinical improvement. New long lasting medications with less adverse effects such as cabergoline, with oral week ly administration, and the repeatable monthly injectable form of bromocriptine (Parlodel LAR(R), Sandoz) may be the treatment of choice for prolactinomas. Dopaminergic medications less effective in acromegaly. The higher doses required induce more collateral effects. An important step has been the incorporation of long lasting somatostatin analogues such as octreotide (for sbc use tid) intramuscular every 28 days injectable Sandostatin LAR(R) and lanreotide SR (Somatuline(R), Ipsen Biotech), injectable every 10 to 14 days. Medical treatment of acramegaly is not, at the present, art alternative to surgery. However, the development of long lasting specific drugs may become, in the future, the choice or an alternative in the treatment of acromegaly.