Gliadel for pituitary adenomas and craniopharyngiomas.
OBJECTIVE
We developed a protocol for a clinical trial of postresection implantation of Gliadel wafers in patients with aggressive, relentlessly recurring pituitary adenomas and craniopharyngiomas.


METHODS
Ten patients, nine with pituitary adenomas and one with a craniopharyngioma, underwent implantation of from two to eight Gliadel wafers.


RESULTS
No obvious adverse reactions occurred. Death as a result of disease progression occurred in two patients with malignant adenomas. One patient died as a result of a stroke after undergoing five surgical procedures and prior radiotherapy. The seven living patients have been followed for 5 to 27 months (mean follow-up, 19 mo). Four patients have been free of recurrent or residual tumor, two have stable residual disease, and one has experienced tumor progression.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest a role for Gliadel implantation in patients with recurring aggressive pituitary adenomas and craniopharyngiomas.
Laws
Edward R
ER
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908-0212, USA. el5g@virginia.edu
Morris
Angel M
AM
Maartens
Nicholas
N
D000236:Adenoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002330:Carmustine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004343:Drug Implants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D015996:Survival Rate
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004343:Drug Implants; D002330:Carmustine