Clipping Board » Disease & Prevention ─ Understanding diseases, prevention is better than cure.
(2008/05/30 09:18)
Reporter Li Meijin / Taichung County Report
A woman in Taichung County experienced abnormal lactation from her breasts and even unexplained cessation of menstruation. Fortunately, the woman, who works as a nurse, had a high level of alertness and sought further medical examination. This led to the discovery of a tumor in her brain, resolving the lactation issue that had troubled her for two months. Doctors remind the public that abnormal lactation or unexplained cessation of menstruation should never be ignored.
Ms. Xu, a 30-year-old unmarried woman, noticed two months ago that her breasts began producing milk intermittently, and her menstrual period suddenly stopped. She sought help from a gynecologist, and blood tests revealed elevated prolactin levels. Given her nursing background, she suspected a possible brain abnormality and sought further consultation at the neurosurgery department of Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital.
After conducting an MRI, Dr. Wu Fangjun, the attending physician, discovered that the lactation issue troubling Ms. Xu was caused by a tumor the size of a red bean on the left side of her pituitary gland, leading to hormonal imbalance. Ultimately, Dr. Wu used an endoscope to remove the brain tumor, resolving the lactation problem that had plagued her for over two months.
Dr. Wu explained that patients with pituitary tumors can exhibit functional and non-functional clinical symptoms. Abnormal lactation in women, decreased sexual function in men, acromegaly, or diabetes caused by adrenocorticotropic hormone imbalance are all functional manifestations. Non-functional symptoms often include blurred vision in both eyes due to tumor pressure on the optic nerve. Such patients are prone to traffic accidents and are more likely to delay seeking medical attention.
Dr. Wu added that in the past, pituitary tumor removal surgeries required patients to be exposed to large amounts of X-rays. Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital now uses computer-guided navigation instruments, allowing doctors to accurately locate the tumor and determine the surgical approach before the operation, significantly reducing the patient's exposure to X-rays during the procedure.
Dr. Wu noted that pituitary tumor patients still face a recurrence rate of over 10% post-surgery. However, since pituitary tumors are benign, early detection and treatment can prevent major issues.
Source: http://www. nownews. com/ 2008/ 05/ 30/ 327- 2282150. htm
Beware: Abnormal Lactation or Menstrual Cessation in Women May Signal Pituitary Tumor
Reporter Li Meijin / Taichung County Report
A woman in Taichung County experienced abnormal lactation from her breasts and even unexplained cessation of menstruation. Fortunately, the woman, who works as a nurse, had a high level of alertness and sought further medical examination. This led to the discovery of a tumor in her brain, resolving the lactation issue that had troubled her for two months. Doctors remind the public that abnormal lactation or unexplained cessation of menstruation should never be ignored.
Ms. Xu, a 30-year-old unmarried woman, noticed two months ago that her breasts began producing milk intermittently, and her menstrual period suddenly stopped. She sought help from a gynecologist, and blood tests revealed elevated prolactin levels. Given her nursing background, she suspected a possible brain abnormality and sought further consultation at the neurosurgery department of Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital.
After conducting an MRI, Dr. Wu Fangjun, the attending physician, discovered that the lactation issue troubling Ms. Xu was caused by a tumor the size of a red bean on the left side of her pituitary gland, leading to hormonal imbalance. Ultimately, Dr. Wu used an endoscope to remove the brain tumor, resolving the lactation problem that had plagued her for over two months.
Dr. Wu explained that patients with pituitary tumors can exhibit functional and non-functional clinical symptoms. Abnormal lactation in women, decreased sexual function in men, acromegaly, or diabetes caused by adrenocorticotropic hormone imbalance are all functional manifestations. Non-functional symptoms often include blurred vision in both eyes due to tumor pressure on the optic nerve. Such patients are prone to traffic accidents and are more likely to delay seeking medical attention.
Dr. Wu added that in the past, pituitary tumor removal surgeries required patients to be exposed to large amounts of X-rays. Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital now uses computer-guided navigation instruments, allowing doctors to accurately locate the tumor and determine the surgical approach before the operation, significantly reducing the patient's exposure to X-rays during the procedure.
Dr. Wu noted that pituitary tumor patients still face a recurrence rate of over 10% post-surgery. However, since pituitary tumors are benign, early detection and treatment can prevent major issues.
Source: http://www. nownews. com/ 2008/ 05/ 30/ 327- 2282150. htm