Hyperprolactinemia
Some people who were treated for cancer during childhood may develop endocrine (hormone) problems due to changes in the function in the endocrine system.
The endocrine system is a group of glands that regulate many body functions including growth, puberty, energy level, urine production, and stress response. Glands of the endocrine system include the pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries (in females), and testes (in males). The hypothalamus and pituitary are sometimes called the “master glands” because they control many of the other glands in the endocrine system. Unfortunately, some treatments given for childhood cancer can damage the endocrine system, resulting in a variety of problems.
Hormones are chemical messengers that carry information from the endocrine glands through the bloodstream to the body’s cells. The endocrine system makes many hormones (such as growth hormone, sex hormones, adrenal and thyroid hormones) that work together to maintain specific bodily functions.
Hyperprolactinemia is a condition that occurs when there is too much of the hormone prolactin in the body. Prolactin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. Its main function is to enhance breast development in females during pregnancy and to induce lactation (milk production) after childbirth. Too much prolactin can affect the reproductive system, resulting in problems with functioning of the ovaries (in females) or testicles (in males). In females, high levels of prolactin can cause galactorrhea (breast milk production by a person who is not breastfeeding) and irregular or absent menstrual periods. In males, high levels of prolactin can cause galactorrhea and decreased testosterone levels that may result in a diminished libido (sex drive). In preteens and teens, excess prolactin may interfere with normal pubertal development.
