Hi June and all

"You learn something new every day" seems to be my motto lately. So, because 
I had only basic knowledge about this I went looking.

Might be worth checking with her surgeon - adenectomy refers to removal of a 
tumor, hypophysectomy refers to the removal of the pituitary gland.

I found out pituitary tumours are usually benign, called adenomas. If 
malignant, which is very rare, they are called pituitary carcinomas. I found 
out that there are two types of tumours - secretory that make more of a 
hormone (and it carries this name eg prolactin tumour) and non-secretory.

From this I understand that if the tumour ONLY or part of the pituitary 
gland has been removed then the pituitary gland can return to normal or 
possibly lower levels of prolactin production so initiation of breastfeeding 
is possible. If the whole gland has been removed she would be taking hormone 
replacement therapy but this does not include prolactin - studies on animals 
are occuring and research is also hypothisising that prolactin has more 
essential functions in the human body than related to lactation.

Strangely I also found out that some tumours when removed actually reduce 
access of the dopamine compound into the ptuitary gland from the 
hypothalamus (which puts a brake on prolactin production) so prolactin 
secretion increases. Weird!!!! So her supply may actually be more than 
adequate.

If anyone can correct me or add anything ot this I would be grateful........

regards
Del
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Del Smith
Breastfeeding Counsellor
Australian Breastfeeding Association www.breastfeeding.asn.au
Perth Western Australia


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "June & John" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2007 9:40 AM
Subject: Pituitary Adenectomy


> Hi All
>
>
> Would I be right in thinking  that a woman who has had Pituitary 
> Adenectomy
> at the age of 20 ( now 32) and radiotherapy would not be able to 
> breastfeed.
>
>
> Has anyone got  data on breastfeeding after this type of surgery.
>
> Thank you for any input
>
> Sincerely
>
> June Nicholls
> IBCLC

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