Chinese consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of prolactinomas (2025 edition)

Prolactinomas are the most prevalent functional pituitary adenomas. Significant advancements have been made in the diagnostic and therapeutic concepts for prolactinomas, driven by progress in surgical techniques and the accumulation of new clinical evidence-based medicine. Based on the 2014 version of the “Chinese Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pituitary Prolactin Adenoma,” the China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council has revised this consensus in accordance with the latest evidence-based medical finding and clinical experience, aiming to provide standardized diagnosis and treatment recommendations for clinicians. The consensus systematically elaborates on the epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis process, and treatment strategies for prolactinomas, and proposes individualized management suggestions for special populations (such as pregnant women, male patients, and refractory cases). Treatment decisions strongly advocate for comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary team of experts, including neurosurgery, endocrinology, radiology, radiation oncology, pathology, ophthalmology, and obstetrics/gynecology. Through the formulation of recommendation questions, evidence summary and evaluation, formation of recommendation opinions, expert discussions, and integration with clinical practice, 36 recommendations have been developed covering aspects such as screening, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. This consensus balances clinical needs with international evidence-based standards, provides a highly reliable reference for diagnosis and treatment, and is expected to enhance the standardization and overall level of prolactinoma diagnosis and treatment in China.

Practice guideline registration

International Practice Guideline Registration for Transparency (PREPARE-2025CN1518).