[Structure of an interdisciplinary pituitary outpatient care unit at the University Hospital of Leipzig and results for treatment of prolactin and growth hormone secreting pituitary tumors].

BACKGROUND: Treatment of patients with pituitary adenomas is complex and involves several medical specialties. At the Medical Center of the University of Leipzig, Germany, an interdisciplinary pituitary outpatient care unit has been established for 6 years.
METHODS: The interdisciplinary collaboration and the outcome of patients with growth hormone-(GH-) and prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas are described. Moreover, therapeutic strategies for patients with hormonally active pituitary adenomas are presented and discussed.
RESULTS: In patients suffering from GH-producing adenomas, a remission could be achieved in 80% (microadenomas) and 40% (macroadenomas) of the cases, respectively. This is comparable to major published studies. Furthermore, prolactinomas decreased in size during treatment in at least 75% of all cases depending on the initial size of the lesion which is also comparable to data from other groups.
CONCLUSION: Taken together, an interdisciplinary approach improves outcome and quality of care of patients with hormonally active pituitary adenomas.