The efficacy of fractionated radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery for pituitary adenomas: long-term results of 125 consecutive patients treated in a single institution.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to define the efficacy and safety of fractionated radiotherapy (FRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for the treatment of patients with pituitary adenoma.


METHODS
Between January 1995 and April 2006, 125 consecutive patients with pituitary adenomas (54 hormone-secreting adenomas and 71 nonsecretory adenomas) received FRT or underwent SRS. Sixty-four patients received FRT, for which the mean total dose was 50.4 grays (Gy) (range, 48-54 Gy), and 61 patients underwent gamma-knife SRS with mean marginal dose of 25.1 Gy (range, 9-30 Gy).


RESULTS
After mean follow up of 36.7 months, the tumor volume was increased in only 4 patients (3.2%). The overall actuarial progression-free survival rate was 99% at 2 years and 97% at 4 years. No difference was observed between the FRT group and the SRS group in the control of tumor growth. Based on the endocrinologic results in the patients who had secretory adenomas, the overall hormone complete remission rate was 26.2% at 2 years and 76.3% at 4 years. The median time to complete remission was 26 months in the SRS group and 63 months in the FRT group (P = .0068). Hypopituitarism developed as a delayed complication in 11.5% of patients at a median of 84 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Both FRT and SRS were efficient treatment modalities for the control of tumor growth in patients with pituitary adenomas. The current results indicated that single-dose radiosurgery more promptly produces an effect on the hypersecretion of pituitary hormones and may be recommended over FRT for suitable patients.
Kong
Doo-Sik
DS
Department of Neurosurgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Kangnam-Gu, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Jung-Il
JI
Lim
Do Hoon
DH
Kim
Kwang Won
KW
Shin
Hyung Jin
HJ
Nam
Do-Hyun
DH
Park
Kwan
K
Kim
Jong Hyun
JH
D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047368:Tumor Burden