home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
CD-ROM Today 1996 January
/
CD-ROM Today 1996 January.iso
/
dp
/
0343
/
03434.txt
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-01-17
|
5KB
|
119 lines
$Unique_ID{BRK03434}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Ahumada-del Castillo Syndrome}
$Subject{Ahumada-del Castillo Syndrome Galactorrhea-Amenorrhea without
Pregnancy Nonpuerperal Galactorrhea-Amenorrhea Amenorrhea-Galactorrhea-FSH
Decrease Syndrome Argonzdel Castillo Syndrome}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1986, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
155:
Ahumada-del Castillo Syndrome
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Ahumada del-Castillo
Syndrome) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to
find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Galactorrhea-Amenorrhea without Pregnancy
Nonpuerperal Galactorrhea-Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea-Galactorrhea-FSH Decrease Syndrome
Argonzdel Castillo Syndrome
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section.
Ahumada-del Castillo Syndrome belongs to a group of disorders affecting
women, characterized by abnormal lactation (milk production) and an absence
of menstrual periods. Its causes are not well understood, but the syndrome
seems to result from microscopic tumors in the region of the brain or
pituitary gland responsible for the production of certain reproductive
hormones. Ahumada-del Castillo Syndrome is not correlated with pregnancy.
It responds to pharmacological treatment for variable periods of time.
Symptoms
Onset of Ahumada-del Castillo Syndrome may occur at any time. The symptoms
consist of galactorrhea( abnormal secretion of a milky substance from the
nipples) and the absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea). The breasts and
nipples are of normal size and appearance, and the secondary sexual
characteristics, such as hair distribution, voice, etc., also remain normal.
Laboratory tests reveal elevated levels of prolactin, the hormone
responsible for lactation after childbirth. In addition, they indicate low
levels of gonadotropins, hormones such as Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
which regulate the monthly ovulatory cycle.
Causes
Ahumada-del Castillo Syndrome represents a dysfunction of the pituitary-
hypothalamic axis. This entity, which consists of the region of the brain
called the hypothalamus and the nearby endocrine gland called the pituitary,
produces a number of important hormones, including many involved in
reproduction and milk production.
The exact abnormality is not understood, but evidence suggests that small
tumors in the pituitary-hypothalamic region sometimes cause the syndrome.
The tumors are frequently microscopic in size, so that they are not
recognized easily.
Other, rarer causes of galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndromes include
underlying disorders such as hypothyroidism, chronic use of dopamine
antagonistic drugs (e.g., thorazine), and discontinuation of oral
contraceptive regimens.
Related Disorders
Galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndromes include Chiari-Frommel Syndrome which is
associated with pregnancy and Forbes-Albright Syndrome which is associated
with demonstrable tumors in the sella turcica, a structure in the skull where
the pituitary gland is located.
Therapies: Standard
Treatment of Ahumada-del Castillo Syndrome with drugs such as bromocriptine
and lergotrile mesilate lower prolactin levels, stopping the abnormal milk
secretion, and often restoring menstrual function. Small tumors may in some
cases be removed surgically. Others may respond to radiation treatment.
When the syndrome results from other underlying disorders, it resolves with
their successful treatment.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through June
1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Ahumada-del Castillo Syndrome, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20205
(301) 496-5133
References
THE MERCK MANUAL 15th ed: R. Berkow, et al: eds; Merck, Sharp & Dohme
Research Laboratories, 1987. P. 1029.