Invasive mixed growth hormone/prolactin secreting pituitary tumour: complete shrinking by octreotide and bromocriptine, and lack of tumour growth relapse 20 months after octreotide withdrawal.

Octreotide and bromocriptine were used to treat an acromegalic patient harbouring an invasive pituitary tumour secreting growth hormone and prolactin. Octreotide (100 micrograms, subcutaneously, three times daily) and bromocriptine (15 mg orally, daily) rapidly improved clinical signs and symptoms, including diabetes that initially required insulin. Complete control of growth hormone and prolactin secretion was obtained and maintained by this treatment protocol for 12 months without affecting the other pituitary functions. A major tumour shrinkage was apparent by magnetic resonance imaging after six months, and was considered to be complete after 12 months of treatment. Octreotide was then discontinued without any relapse in either growth hormone secretion or tumour growth over a 20-month period following withdrawal. Attempts were made to discontinue bromocriptine, but a maintenance therapy (2.5 mg daily) was required to control rebounds of prolactin hypersecretion. Two months after octreotide withdrawal, acute pancreatitis secondary to cholelithiasis required surgery; this complication was attributed to octreotide (pre-treatment ultrasonography was normal). These findings suggest that combination therapy with octreotide and bromocriptine may be considered in pituitary macroadenomas secreting growth hormone and prolactin. They also emphasize the need for a close monitoring of cholelithiasis, not only during octreotide therapy but also after the drug's withdrawal.