This article reviews the potencial role of medical treatment for both ACTH and TSH secreting pituitary adenomas, as well as for clinically non-functionning pituitary adenomas (CNFPA). Metyrapone, mitotane and ketoconazole (preferable for causing less side-effects) are the most effective drugs for the control of hypercortisolism but none of them surpasses the efficacy of transsphenoidal surgery (TSA). Drug therapy in Cushing's disease is therefore better indicated for patients waiting for the full effect of radiotherapy or, as an alternative to radiotherapy, for cases of TSA failure as well as patients that refuse or have clinical limitations to surgery. Other potential indications for medical treatment in Cushing's disease include elderly patients with microadenomas or small macroadenomas, as well as cases associated to an empty sella. Concerning TSH-secreting adenomas, somatostatin analogues (SRIFa) lead to normalization of thyroid hormones in up to 95% of treated patients. Therefore they may represent an useful tool for long-term treatment of such rare tumors in case of surgery failure or as primary therapy for selected cases. Occasionaly, dopamine agonists (DA), especially cabergoline, may also be efficacious in normalizing hormone levels. In contrast, DA and SRIFa rarely induce significant tumor shrinkage in patients with CNFPA. Thus, these drugs should be considered particularly for patients who are poor candidates for surgery or in whom surgery and radiotherapy have failed to control the disease.
Pituitary Adenomas; Cushing's disease; Treatment; Inhibitors of adrenal steroidogenesis; Somatostatin analogues; Dopamine agonists
