Glomus jugulare tumor: tumor control and complications after stereotactic radiosurgery.
BACKGROUND
We evaluated toxicity and long-term efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery in patients with symptomatic or progressive glomus jugulare tumors.


METHODS
Twenty-five consecutive patients (age, 30-88 years; 17 women, 8 men) who underwent stereotactic radiosurgery with the Leksell Gamma Knife (dose, 12-18 Gy) were prospectively followed. MRI and clinical examinations were performed at 6 months and 1, 2, and 3 years, and then every 2 years.


RESULTS
None of the tumors increased in size, 17 were stable, and 8 decreased (median imaging follow-up, 35 months; range, 10-113 months). Symptoms subsided in 15 patients (60%); vertigo occurred in 1, but balance improved with vestibular training (median clinical follow-up, 37 months; range, 11-118 months). No other new or progressive neuropathy of cranial nerves V-XII developed.


CONCLUSIONS
Stereotactic radiosurgery can achieve excellent tumor control with low risk of morbidity in the treatment of glomus jugulare tumors. The lower cranial nerves can safely tolerate a radiosurgical dose of 12 to 18 Gy.
Foote
Robert L
RL
Division of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. foote.robert@mayo.edu
Pollock
Bruce E
BE
Gorman
Deborah A
DA
Schomberg
Paula J
PJ
Stafford
Scott L
SL
Link
Michael J
MJ
Kline
Robert W
RW
Strome
Scott E
SE
Kasperbauer
Jan L
JL
Olsen
Kerry D
KD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005925:Glomus Jugulare Tumor / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome