title: [Long term results of the surgical treatment of acromegaly. Longitudinal study of a series of 68 patients (author's transl)].
abstract: In order to evaluate treatment of acromegaly, a 5-year study was undertaken on 68 acromegalics, selected from a series of 155 cases, treated by surgery alone (31 cases) or by combined surgery and radiotherapy (37 cases). Immediate return to normal of STH levels in the post-operatoire period is rare (7%) and the clinical improvement observed in most instances seems to be explained by the relative fall in STH that is usually found. Blood volume appears to be the best metabolic parameter of STH levels. Rapid return to normal of STH levels in the post-operative period is a good pronostic sign, but the authors emphasize that STH secretion can vary in the same patient after surgery alone or after combined surgery and radiotherapy. The pituitary insufficiency observed in 35% of cases is more frequent after limited surgical excision followed by radiotherapy or after wide excision alone. In 70% of cases, patients with pituitary insufficiency retain raised STH levels.
mesh_terms: D000172:Acromegaly / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies
chemical_list: D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D013006:Growth Hormone
vernacular_title: Résultats à long terme du traitement chirurgical de l'acromégalie. Etude longitudinale d'une série de 68 patients.