What is the most common hormonally active pituitary tumor in both men and women?

The most common hormonally active pituitary tumor in both men and women is indeed related to prolactin. Prolactin-secreting tumors, known as prolactinomas, are the most frequently occurring type of pituitary adenoma. These tumors lead to hyperprolactinemia, a condition characterized by elevated levels of prolactin in the blood, which can have various physiological effects such as galactorrhea (abnormal milk production) and menstrual irregularities in women, and can also lead to sexual dysfunction in men.

Prolactinomas can occur at any age but are most commonly diagnosed in young adults. Their prevalence and the associated symptoms of hyperprolactinemia contribute to their classification as the most common active tumors produced by the pituitary gland.

Other types of hormonally active tumors exist, including those that secrete growth hormone or ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), but they are not as common as prolactin-secreting adenomas. Growth hormone secreting tumors lead to acromegaly or gigantism, while ACTH-secreting tumors result in Cushing’s disease, both of which are less frequently encountered in clinical practice compared to prolactinomas. Thus,