We retrospectively analysed the long-term treatment results (median 8 years) of 31 @entity1 with @entity2013 . 17 @entity1 were treated by pituitary surgery (group 1) followed by long-term @entity935 agonist therapy whereas 14 @entity1 received long-term @entity935 agonist therapy alone (group 2). 2 @entity1 of group 1 and 1 @entity1 of group 2 had external pituitary irradiation because of progressive disease. The two groups were comparable with respect to age, gender and initial prolactin (PRL) levels. At the end of the observation period @entity935 agonist dosage could be reduced by 50% in group 1 and by 39.3% in group 2. Pituitary function did not change substantially during therapy. Complete remissions (no visible @entity5 in CT or MRI, normal PRL levels under current @entity935 agonist medication) were achieved in 23.5% of group 1 vs. 21.4% of group 2, partial remissions (reduction of PRL and @entity5 size) in 35.3% vs. 64.3%, stable disease in 23.5% vs. 7.1% and progressive disease in 17.7% vs. 7.1% (differences not significant). @entity227 showed 28.4% remissions (complete and partial) in group 1 versus 50% in group 2. @entity935 agonist therapy could be stopped definitively in only 1 @entity1 of group 2 with an invasive @entity2013 . @entity5 load followed by medical therapy does not seem to guarantee a better long-term outcome than @entity935 agonist therapy alone if the @entity1 responds to and tolerates @entity935 agonist therapy. Surgery should be reserved for non-responders, drug-intolerant or non-compliant @entity1 , and for those with acute severe neurological compromise.

Surgery combined with @entity935 agonists versus XXXX agonists alone in long-term treatment of @entity2013 : a retrospective study.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity227 :: ('MESH:D014786', 'Disease') :: ['Visual field defects'] @entity2013 :: ('MESH:D015175', 'Disease') :: ['macroprolactinoma'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['Initial surgical reduction of tumour', 'tumour'] @entity935 :: ('MESH:D004298', 'Chemical') :: ['dopamine', 'Dopamine']
@entity935 :: (MESH:D004298,Chemical) :: ['dopamine']
