ObjectiveTo explore the clinical characteristics of different types of prolactinoma and the therapeutic effect of bromocriptine.MethodsThe medical records of patients with prolactinoma treated by bromocriptine from January 2010 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were followed up.ResultsA total of 106 cases of prolactinoma were included, in whom 67 were microprolactinomas, 31 were macroprolactinomas, and 8 were giant prolactinoma. There were differences in the distributions of gender and age, prolactin level, clinical manifestations and the effective dose of bromocriptine among the three groups (P<0.05). After the treatment of bromocriptine, the level of serum prolactin was restored to normal in 61 cases in microprolactinoma group, 26 cases in macroprolactinoma group and 6 cases in giant prolactioma group. For improvement of the main symptoms, there were 63 patients in microprolactinoma group, 27 in macroprolactinoma group and 6 in giant prolactioma group. Furthermore, the shrink or disappearance was achieved in 28 patients in microprolactinoma group, 23 in macroprolactinoma group, and 8 in giant prolactioma group. The statistical results showed no significant difference in normal prolactin level and improvement of symptoms among the three groups (P>0.05), but the reduction of tumor volume were statistically different (P<0.05).ConclusionsMicroprolactinomas and macroprolactinomas are mostly seen in childbearing-aged women with main manifestations of menstrual disorders and lactation, while giant prolactinomas are mostly seen in middle-aged men, with main manifestations of headaches and visual field disorders. Bromocriptine has a good effect on prolactin adenomas with various sizes. Therefore bromocriptine should be the first choice for different types of prolactinomas.