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From macroprolactinoma to concomitant ACTH-PRL hypersecretion with Cushing’s disease

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Abstract

Multiple pituitary hormone hypersecretions have been already described, but the combination of PRL and ACTH excess is rare. This report deals with a 42-yr-old woman affected by macroprolactinoma (PRL 12,720 μg/l, huge tumor with extrasellar extension at imaging). After one year on dopaminergic treatment causing PRL normalization and tumor shrinkage, she developed hypercortisolism (UFC 1,000 μg/24 h, ACTH 200 ng/l). Cushing’s disease was diagnosed. After neu-rosurgery (at immunocytochemistry mixed ACTHPRL adenoma was shown) hypercortisolism remitted, whereas pathological hyperprolactinemia with tumor remnant in cavernous sinus persisted and hypopituitarism developed. The patient reported seems atypical for the following reasons: 1) the concomitant PRL and ACTH hypersecretions; 2) the clinical presentation with hypercortisolism following hyperprolactinemia; 3) the surgical cure of hypercortisolism with persisting hyperprolactinemia.

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Correspondence to R. Cozzi.

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Barausse, M., Attanasio, R., Dallabonzana, D. et al. From macroprolactinoma to concomitant ACTH-PRL hypersecretion with Cushing’s disease. J Endocrinol Invest 23, 107–111 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03343688

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