What is the most common type of pituitary tumor and its treatment?

Prolactinomas are indeed the most common type of pituitary tumor, accounting for a significant majority of functional pituitary adenomas. These tumors secrete excessive amounts of prolactin, leading to symptoms like galactorrhea, amenorrhea, and infertility in women, as well as sexual dysfunction in men.

The primary treatment for prolactinomas is the use of dopamine agonists, such as cabergoline or bromocriptine. These medications work by mimicking the action of dopamine, which inhibits prolactin secretion. They not only help in reducing prolactin levels but also frequently lead to tumor shrinkage and improvement in related symptoms. Most patients can expect effective management of their symptoms and a significant reduction in tumor size with this approach.

In contrast, other types of pituitary tumors, such as growth hormone-secreting tumors, corticotropin-secreting tumors, and thyrotropin-secreting tumors, generally require different management strategies, including surgical intervention or other forms of medical treatment.