Which therapy is used for a somatotroph adenoma?

• A. Dopamine agonists
• B. Growth hormone receptor antagonists
• C. Somatostatin analogs (octreotide, lanreotide)
• D. Insulin therapy

Answer: (C)

Somatotroph adenomas cause excess growth hormone, so treatment aims to lower GH and IGF-1 levels and control tumor activity. Somatostatin receptors are present on pituitary somatotrophs, and activating them with somatostatin analogs effectively inhibits GH release. Octreotide and lanreotide are long-acting formulations that suppress GH, often normalize IGF-1, improve acromegaly symptoms, and can even shrink tumor size. They are a main medical option when surgery isn’t possible, isn’t fully curative, or is used as an adjunct after surgery.

Dopamine agonists may reduce GH modestly in some cases but are not as reliable. Growth hormone receptor antagonists (like pegvisomant) block GH action but don’t reduce GH secretion or tumor size, so they’re typically used in specific situations or in combination with somatostatin analogs. Insulin therapy has no role in treating the adenoma itself.