Long-term follow-up of transsphenoidal selective adenomectomy for prolactinoma

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Abstract
Although transsphenoidal selective resection of prolactinoma has high cure rates and low morbidity, the late frequency of late recurrence of adenoma is controversial. Long-term follow-up data were available on 29 patients having initial return to normal prolactin levels after microadenoma resection; in 24, prolactin levels remained normal at 50 .+-. 3 mo. (range, 11-81 mo.) follow-up. Five patients manifested hyperprolactinemia again after intervals of 6-16 mo. In 5 patients with normal prolactin levels immediately after macroadenoma resection, who were available for long-term follow-up, prolactin levels remained normal in 4 at 41 .+-. 3 mo.; 1 patient had a relapse 78 mo. after surgery. Testing of prolactin secretory dynamics 6 wk postoperatively was not predictive of who would suffer relapse. It is not known whether these relapses are due to regrowth of tumor remnants, or whether they represent new tumor formation.