Prolactinoma Course and Management in Transgender Women: case report and systematic review

Clicks: 1
ID: 313633
2026
Article Quality & Performance Metrics
Overall Quality
Not rated
Combines reader engagement with the AI quality analysis. This article has not been analysed, so there is no overall score — reader engagement is measured and shown alongside.
AI Quality Assessment
Not analyzed
Readership in this journal

Ranked #71 of 91 articles by views in european journal of endocrinology

Most read Least read

Bar heights use a square-root scale.

Mint this article as an NFT
Not yet minted

Create a permanent, verifiable on-chain record of this article on the Scimatic Network. The NFT is held in your Journament account, and you can withdraw it to your own wallet at any time.

5 SUSD one-off · no wallet required
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Prolactinomas are the most common functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNETs). In transgender women, gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) usually combines high doses of oestrogen and anti-androgen therapy, both of which can elevate serum prolactin levels. Whether GAHT influences tumour behaviour in patients with pre-existing prolactinomas remains unclear. DESIGN AND METHODS: Case report illustrating the clinical challenges in managing a prolactinoma in the context of GAHT initiation combined with a systematic review of all published cases and available guidelines of GAHT in the prolactinoma context. RESULTS: A 22-year-old female (46,XY; assigned male at birth) with untreated gender dysphoria and hypogonadism was diagnosed with a macroprolactinoma (39.9 mm; serum prolactin 285x upper limit of normal (ULN)). Cabergoline therapy reduced prolactin levels to 27.3xULN within one year. Pituitary apoplexy with acute visual field and acuity deterioration required emergency transsphenoidal debulking. Two months postoperatively, prolactin levels were 8.6xULN with total hypopituitarism and small irresectable remnants. Initiation of oestrogen therapy led to unexpected biochemical (128.4xULN) and radiological progression despite cabergoline reintroduction and dose escalation, necessitating oestrogen withdrawal to stabilize disease. Subsequent radiotherapy allowed safe oestrogen reintroduction. To date, 24 prolactinomas in transgender women (including this case) have been reported, most diagnosed after GAHT initiation and lacking baseline prolactin data. Current clinical guidelines provide no specific recommendations for pituitary tumours in this population. CONCLUSIONS: GAHT initiation might induce rapid progression and concomitant dopamine-agonist resistance in residual macroprolactinoma. Individualized, multidisciplinary management is needed. Development of dedicated clinical guidelines is essential to combine tumour control with gender-affirming care.
Reference Key
openalex_W7161141020 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Maaia Margo Jentus, Iris Pelsma, Victoria River van Trigt, Leontine Bakker, Marie-Jose Pouwels, Wouter van Furth, Marco Verstegen, Hans Morreau, Nienke Biermasz
Journal european journal of endocrinology
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/ejendo/lvag085
URL
Keywords Keywords not found

Citations

No citations found. To add a citation, contact the admin at info@scimatic.org

No comments yet. Be the first to comment on this article.