A GOOD WIFE, BUT NEVER A MOTHER

Prolactinomas are the commonest pituitary tumour(1). They are more fre quent in women and account for up to 15% of patients with amenorrhoea (through secondary gonadotrophin suppression). Here we present two pat ients with previously unrecognized giant prolactinomas, one of whom is probably unique in having radiological evidence of progression from m icro to macro prolactinoma in the absence of treatment. Both were bein g considered for hormone replacement therapy. These tumours are known to be oestrogen sensitive and potentially life threatening(1). Both ha d been investigated for amenorrhoea prior to the availability of prola ctin assays'; no other cause had been found. Amenorrhoeic patients inv estigated prior to the early 1970s should be reviewed with this in min d. patients With untreated microprolactinomas should probably be monit ored indefinitely.