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World Neurosurgery Oct 2021Prolactin-secreting tumors respond well to medical management, with a few patients requiring surgery. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to study the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Prolactin-secreting tumors respond well to medical management, with a few patients requiring surgery. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to study the determinants of surgical remission in these tumors.
METHODS
We searched PubMed to identify eligible studies reporting postoperative remission in patients treated with transsphenoidal surgery for prolactinoma. Primary outcomes included postoperative remission, follow-up remission, and recurrence. Postoperative and follow-up remission were defined as normoprolactinemia at <1 year and >1 year after operation, respectively. Recurrence was defined as hyperprolactinemia after initial normalization of prolactin levels. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated, stratified by radiologic size, tumor extension, and tumor invasion, and analyzed using a random-effects model meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Thirty-five studies were included. Macroadenomas were associated with lower rates of postoperative remission (OR, 0.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16-0.24) and lower rates of remission at follow-up (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.053-0.22). Postoperative remission was less likely in tumors with extrasellar or suprasellar extension (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.06-0.43) and tumors with cavernous sinus invasion (OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01-0.13). Female gender and absence of preoperative dopamine agonist treatment were also associated with higher remission rates. Across the included studies, there was considerable heterogeneity in each primary outcome (postoperative remission, I = 94%; follow-up remission, I = 86%; recurrence, I = 68%).
CONCLUSIONS
Transsphenoidal surgery for prolactinomas may be particularly effective in small, noninvasive, treatment-naive tumors and may provide a viable first-line alternative to dopamine agonist therapy in such patients.
Topics: Humans; Neurosurgical Procedures; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactinoma; Remission Induction; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34325023
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.07.035 -
Pituitary Dec 2021In Prolactinomas, surgery or radiation are reserved for DA failure due to tumor resistance, intolerance to medication-induced side-effects, or patient preference. This... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
In Prolactinomas, surgery or radiation are reserved for DA failure due to tumor resistance, intolerance to medication-induced side-effects, or patient preference. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes the currently available literature regarding the effectiveness of surgery to treat prolactinomas in patients who have failed DA therapy.
METHOD
A literature search was conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for studies that reported outcomes of medically resistant and intolerant prolactinoma treated surgically.
RESULTS
10 articles (Total N = 816, Surgery N = 657) met the inclusion criteria. 38% of patients who underwent surgery following DA failure achieved remission without need for further treatment (p < 0.001, I = 67.09%) with a median follow-up of 49.2 +/- 40 months. 62% achieved remission with multimodal treatment (p < 0.001, I = 93.28%) with a median follow-up of 53 +/- 39.8 months. 16% of cases demonstrated recurrence after early remission (p = 0.02, I = 62.91%) with recurrence occurring on average at 27 +/- 9 months. Overall, 46% of patients required reinstitution of postoperative DA therapy at last follow up (p < 0.001, I = 82.57%). Subgroup analysis of macroprolactinoma and microprolactinoma has demonstrated that there is no statistical significance in achieving long-term remission with surgery stand-alone in macroprolactinoma group (p = 0.49) although 43% of patients were able to achieve remission with multimodal therapy at last follow-up in the same group (p < 0.001, I = 86.34%).
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed 38% of operated patients achieved remission, while 62% achieved remission when additional modes of therapy were implemented. Therefore, although surgery has not been initial therapeutic choice for prolactinoma, it plays a significant role in medically failed prolactinoma care.
Topics: Dopamine Agonists; Humans; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactin; Prolactinoma; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34580821
DOI: 10.1007/s11102-021-01188-7 -
Chinese Neurosurgical Journal Apr 2022For prolactinoma patients, dopamine agonists (DAs) are indicated as the first-line treatment and surgery is an adjunctive choice. However, with the development of...
BACKGROUND
For prolactinoma patients, dopamine agonists (DAs) are indicated as the first-line treatment and surgery is an adjunctive choice. However, with the development of surgical technique and equipment, the effect of surgery has improved. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of surgery versus DAs in patients with different types of prolactinomas.
METHODS
A systematic search of literature using Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Clinical Trial databases was conducted until July 12, 2019. Prolactinoma patients treated with DAs (bromocriptine or cabergoline) or surgery (microscopic or endoscopic surgery) were included. Outcomes included the biochemical cure rate, recurrence rate, prolactin level, improvement rates of symptoms, and incidence rates of complications. A random-effects model was used to pool the extracted data. Qualitative comparisons were conducted instead of quantitative comparison.
RESULTS
DAs were better than surgery in terms of the biochemical cure rate (0.78 versus 0.66), but surgery had a much lower recurrence rate (0.19 versus 0.57). Full advantages were not demonstrated in improvement rates of symptoms and incidence rates of complications with both treatment options. In microprolactinoma patients, the biochemical cure rate of endoscopic surgery was equal to the average cure rate of DAs (0.86 versus 0.86) and it surpassed the biochemical cure rate of bromocriptine (0.86 versus 0.76). In macroprolactinoma patients, endoscopic surgery was slightly higher than bromocriptine (0.66 versus 0.64) in terms of the biochemical cure rate.
CONCLUSION
For patients with clear indications or contraindications for surgery, choosing surgery or DAs accordingly is unequivocal. However, for patients with clinical equipoise, such as surgery, especially endoscopic surgery, in microprolactinoma and macroprolactinoma patients, we suggest that neurosurgeons and endocrinologists conduct high-quality clinical trials to address the clinical equipoise quantitatively.
PubMed: 35395837
DOI: 10.1186/s41016-022-00277-1 -
Cureus Feb 2023The management of dopamine agonist (DA)-resistant prolactinomas unresponsive to second and third-line treatment is challenging and requires alternative medical therapy.... (Review)
Review
The management of dopamine agonist (DA)-resistant prolactinomas unresponsive to second and third-line treatment is challenging and requires alternative medical therapy. The presence of estrogen receptors on pituitary tumors, and the variable behavior of pituitary tumors in the presence of estrogen, prompted investigation of the role of anti-estrogen in the treatment of DA-resistant prolactinomas. The goal of this paper is to perform a systematic review of the role of tamoxifen in the treatment of DA-resistant prolactinomas. A systematic review was conducted. Inclusion criteria were case reports, case series, and experimental studies using tamoxifen in DA-resistant prolactinomas. Exclusion criteria included review articles, DA-sensitive prolactinomas, and those that were not previously treated with DA. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. For continuous data, the mean was used. For dichotomous data, frequencies and percentages were used. Data on 22 patients were extracted from the seven included studies. Twenty patients (90.9%) responded positively to the use of tamoxifen with a mean reduction in prolactin levels of 57.4%. Ten patients (45.5%) showed normalization of prolactin post-tamoxifen administration. Regression of tumor size and stability of tumor growth were reported in four out of 22 cases (18.2%). Combination therapy with DA and tamoxifen increased DA sensitivity and had a clinically significant inhibitory effect on prolactin secretion. Furthermore, tamoxifen may be considered an effective adjuvant for tumor size control. Therefore, further studies are needed to draw more clinically and statistically robust conclusions.
PubMed: 36950000
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.35171 -
Pituitary Jun 2022Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is feasible for pituitary adenomas, but post-surgery GKRS may cause severe hormone deficits. We reviewed the literature on primary GKRS... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is feasible for pituitary adenomas, but post-surgery GKRS may cause severe hormone deficits. We reviewed the literature on primary GKRS for pituitary adenoma focusing on radiation-induced hormone deficiencies.
METHODS
PubMed, Web-of-Science, Scopus, and Cochrane were searched upon the PRISMA guidelines to include studies describing primary GKRS for pituitary adenomas. Pooled-rates of GKRS-induced hormone deficiencies and clinical-radiological responses were analyzed with a random-effect model meta-analysis.
RESULTS
We included 24 studies comprising 1381 patients. Prolactinomas were the most common (34.2%), and 289 patients had non-functioning adenomas (20.9%). Median tumor volume was 1.6cm (range, 0.01-31.3), with suprasellar extension and cavernous sinus invasion detected in 26% and 31.1% cases. GKRS was delivered with median marginal dose 22.6 Gy (range, 6-49), maximum dose 50 Gy (range, 25-90), and isodose line 50% (range, 9-100%). Median maximum point doses were 9 Gy (range, 0.5-25) to the pituitary stalk, 7 Gy (range, 1-38) to the optic apparatus, and 5 Gy (range, 0.4-12.3) to the optic chiasm. Pooled 5 year rates of endocrine normalization and local tumor control were 48% (95%CI 45-51%) and 97% (95%CI 95-98%). 158 patients (11.4%) experienced endocrinopathies at a median of 45 months (range, 4-187.3) after GKRS, with pooled 5-year rates of 8% (95%CI 6-9%). GKRS-induced hormone deficiencies comprised secondary hypothyroidism (42.4%) and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (33.5%), with panhypopituitarism reported in 31 cases (19.6%).
CONCLUSION
Primary GKRS for pituitary adenoma may correlate with lower rates of radiation-induced hypopituitarism (11.4%) than post-surgery GKRS (18-32%). Minimal doses to normal pituitary structures and long-term endocrine follow-up are of primary importance.
Topics: Adenoma; Follow-Up Studies; Hormones; Humans; Pituitary Neoplasms; Radiosurgery; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35349010
DOI: 10.1007/s11102-022-01219-x -
Journal of Endocrinological... Oct 2021Salivary gland (SG) tissue and derived neoplasms may occur in the sellar region. As the current literature is mostly limited to case reports, the puzzling case of an...
PURPOSE
Salivary gland (SG) tissue and derived neoplasms may occur in the sellar region. As the current literature is mostly limited to case reports, the puzzling case of an inflammatory SG removed by transsphenoidal surgery (TS) and mimicking a prolactinoma prompted us to perform the first systematic review of these unusual conditions.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Forty-four individual cases-non-neoplastic enlarged salivary glands (NNESG, n = 15), primary benign (n = 7) and malignant (n = 8) ectopic salivary tumours (ST) and sellar metastasis from eutopic primary ST (n = 14)-were suitable for the analysis of clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics. Therapeutic outcome was reviewed as a secondary endpoint.
RESULTS
All cases were diagnosed after surgery. NNESG commonly affected young and/or female patients, typically leading to headaches and hyperprolactinemia and originating close to the neurohypophysis. Submucosal SG should be excluded before concluding to an intrasellar NNESG after TS. No gender or age predominance was found for primary ectopic ST, which present as large tumors, with histological phenotypes similar to common ST. Hypopituitarism and diabetes insipidus were more frequent in ST than in NNESG. NNESG and benign ectopic ST rarely recur. Malignant ectopic ST should be distinguished from secondary localizations of eutopic ST reaching the sella by contiguity or metastatic spread; both share a frequent unfavorable outcome.
CONCLUSION
Sellar neoplasms derived from SG are rare but misleading conditions and pituitary dysfunction is likely to be more common than currently reported. Appropriate pathological evaluation and multidisciplinary approach are required.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactinoma; Salivary Gland Neoplasms; Salivary Glands; Sella Turcica
PubMed: 33939106
DOI: 10.1007/s40618-021-01577-6 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Mar 2020The improved remission and complication rates of current transsphenoidal surgery warrant reappraisal of the position of surgery as a viable alternative to dopamine... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
CONTEXT
The improved remission and complication rates of current transsphenoidal surgery warrant reappraisal of the position of surgery as a viable alternative to dopamine agonists in the treatment algorithm of prolactinomas.
OBJECTIVE
To compare clinical outcomes after dopamine agonist withdrawal and transsphenoidal surgery in prolactinoma patients.
METHODS
Eight databases were searched up to July 13, 2018. Primary outcome was disease remission after drug withdrawal or surgery. Secondary outcomes were biochemical control and side effects during dopamine agonist treatment and postoperative complications. Fixed- or random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled proportions. Robustness of results was assessed by sensitivity analyses.
RESULTS
A total of 1469 articles were screened: 55 (10 low risk of bias) on medical treatment (n = 3564 patients) and 25 (12 low risk of bias) on transsphenoidal surgery (n = 1836 patients). Long-term disease remission after dopamine agonist withdrawal was 34% (95% confidence interval [CI], 26-46) and 67% (95% CI, 60-74) after surgery. Subgroup analysis of microprolactinomas showed 36% (95% CI, 21-52) disease remission after dopamine agonist withdrawal, and 83% (95% CI, 76-90) after surgery. Biochemical control was achieved in 81% (95% CI, 75-87) of patients during dopamine agonists with side effects in 26% (95% CI, 13-41). Transsphenoidal surgery resulted in 0% mortality, 2% (95% CI, 0-5) permanent diabetes insipidus, and 3% (95% CI, 2-5) cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Multiple sensitivity analyses yielded similar results.
CONCLUSIONS
In the majority of prolactinoma patients, disease remission can be achieved through surgery, with low risks of long-term surgical complications, and disease remission is less often achieved with dopamine agonists.
Topics: Critical Pathways; Dopamine Agonists; Female; Humans; Hypophysectomy; Microsurgery; Pituitary Gland; Pituitary Neoplasms; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prolactin; Prolactinoma; Remission Induction; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31665485
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgz144 -
British Journal of Neurosurgery Oct 2023Dopamine agonist-induced cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is an uncommon treatment-related complication arising in 6.1% of prolactinoma patients treated with... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Dopamine agonist-induced cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is an uncommon treatment-related complication arising in 6.1% of prolactinoma patients treated with dopamine agonists. Locally invasive prolactinomas may create CSF fistulae through formation of dural and osseous skull base defects. Tumor shrinkage secondary to dopamine agonist therapy unmasks skull base defects, thus inducing CSF rhinorrhea. In these cases, repair of the leak may be achieved through collaborative surgical intervention by rhinologists and neurosurgeons. Multiple variables have been investigated as potential contributors to the risk of CSF rhinorrhea development in medically treated prolactinoma patients, with little consensus.
OBJECTIVE
The primary aim of our study was the characterization of risk factors for CSF rhinorrhea development following dopamine agonist treatment.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify cases of CSF rhinorrhea following dopamine agonist treatment of prolactinoma. The clinical history, radiographic findings and treatment outcomes are discussed.
RESULTS
Fifty-four patients with dopamine agonist-induced CSF rhinorrhea were identified across 23 articles published from 1979 to 2019. Description of diagnostic imaging [computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] was not provided for 18/54 subjects. For the 36 cases that described prolactinoma appearance on CT or MRI, invasion of the cavernous sinuses was reported in 13 (36.1%) and invasion of the sphenoid sinus was reported in 18 (50%).
CONCLUSION
Based on our systematic review, we propose that CT findings of osseous erosion of the sella or the anterior skull base may predict dopamine agonist-induced CSF rhinorrhea. We recommend obtaining a thin-slice CT of the sinuses in cases with MRI evidence of sphenoid involvement.
Topics: Humans; Prolactinoma; Dopamine Agonists; Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea; Pituitary Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33783287
DOI: 10.1080/02688697.2021.1903389 -
International Journal of Transgender... 2020Gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender women includes estrogen and antiandrogens (cyproterone acetate, spironolactone, or gonadotropin-releasing hormone... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender women includes estrogen and antiandrogens (cyproterone acetate, spironolactone, or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists). Both estrogen and antiandrogens are reported to increase prolactin levels. The objective is to systematically review the evidence of the effects of antiandrogens on prolactin levels, hyperprolactinemia, and prolactinomas among transgender women on estrogen therapy.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, and PsycInfo up to May 2020. We included studies with at least 3 months follow-up that evaluated the effects of antiandrogens among transgender women and reported on prolactin levels, hyperprolactinemia, or image-confirmed prolactinomas. Two reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility, serially abstracted data, and independently assessed risk of bias and graded strength of evidence.
FINDINGS
We included 17 studies (16 publications): 8 prospective cohorts, 8 retrospective cohorts, and 1 cross-sectional study, each with a moderate to serious risk of bias. Among transgender women on estrogen, prolactin levels increased by over 100% with cyproterone acetate and by up to 45% with spironolactone. However, we were unable to isolate the effects of antiandrogens from estrogen therapy. We were unable to draw conclusions about effects of antiandrogens on hyperprolactinemia and prolactinomas.
INTERPRETATION
Prolactin levels may be increased in transgender women who are taking both estrogens and an antiandrogen. Future research is needed to determine the effects of different antiandrogens on prolactin levels separately from estrogen therapy. Ideally, future studies would be prospective, provide either a comparison of two different antiandrogens or compare combination of estrogen and antiandrogen therapy to estrogen alone, and control for possible confounders.
PubMed: 34993517
DOI: 10.1080/15532739.2020.1819505 -
Clinical Endocrinology Nov 2022To estimate the proportion of patients with persistent normoprolactinaemia following dopamine agonist (DA) withdrawal and to identify predictors of successful withdrawal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the proportion of patients with persistent normoprolactinaemia following dopamine agonist (DA) withdrawal and to identify predictors of successful withdrawal in patients with hyperprolactinaemia.
DESIGN, PATIENTS, AND MEASUREMENTS
A systematic review of observational eligible studies were identified by searching PubMed and Embase. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with normoprolactinaemia after cessation of DA treatment. Secondary outcome included the proportion of patients with normoprolactinaemia after DA withdrawal using individual patient data. Risk of bias was assessed by using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Pooled proportions were estimated using a random effects model in case I ≤ 75% or by reporting range of effects if I > 75%.
RESULTS
Thirty-two observational studies enroling 1563 patients were included. The proportion of patients with persistent normoprolactinaemia ranged from 0% to 75% (I = 84%). Heterogeneity was partly explained by age with more successful withdrawal in patients of higher age. Individual patient data analyses suggested that the proportion of patients with persistent normoprolactinaemia 6 months after DA withdrawal with a low maintenance dose and full regression of the prolactinoma was 87.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 60.7-97.1; I = 0%) and 58.4% (95% CI = 23.8-86.3; I = 75%) for microadenomas and macroadenomas, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The proportion of patients with persistent normoprolactinaemia following DA withdrawal treatment varied greatly, partly explained by the mean age of participants of the individual studies. Individual patient data analysis suggested that successful withdrawal was likely in patients with full regression of prolactinomas using a low maintenance dose before cessation.
Topics: Dopamine Agonists; Humans; Hyperprolactinemia; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactinoma; Withholding Treatment
PubMed: 35261059
DOI: 10.1111/cen.14714