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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Prolactinoma is one type of tumor that develops in the pituitary gland. The cause of these tumors remains unknown.
The pituitary gland is a small bean-shaped gland located at the base of your brain. Despite its small size, the pituitary gland influences nearly every part of your body. Its hormones, such as prolactin, help regulate important functions such as growth, blood pressure and reproduction.
Other possible causes of prolactin overproduction include medications, other types of pituitary tumors, an underactive thyroid gland, an injury to the chest, pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- Prolactinoma. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/prolact/prolact.htm. Accessed Jan. 7, 2010.
- Schelchte JA. Prolactinoma. New England Journal of Medicine. 200;349:2035.
- Mancini T, et al. Hyperprolactemia and prolactinomas. Endocrinology Metabolism Clinics of North America. 2008;37:67.
- Melmed S, et al. Disorders of the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2876725. Accessed Jan. 7, 2010.
- Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 20, 2010.
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