Comparison of conventional external radiotherapy and stereotactic radiotherapy in the treatment of pituitary adenoma.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the results of pituitary adenoma treated with conventional external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) versus stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS/SRT).


METHODS
Data of patients with pituitary adenoma treated at Radiotherapy and Oncology unit, Ramathibodi Hospital between 1990 from 2003 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Twenty-two patients were treated with EBRT and 51 patients were treated with SRS/SRT.


RESULTS
The 5-year overall survival and local control rates were not different between the EBRT and SRS/SRT group (91% vs 100%, p = 0.10; 95% vs 96%, p = 0.33). The 5-year freedom from newly initiated hormonal replacement was 50% in EBRT and 75% in SRS/SRT group (p = 0.38).


CONCLUSIONS
At a similar outcome but with lower expense of resources, EBRT should be considered an acceptable radiation technique for patients with pituitary adenoma, especially in developing countries such as Thailand.
Puataweepong
Putipun
P
Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. rapptw@mahidol.ac.th
Dhanachai
Mantana
M
Dangprasert
Somjai
S
Laothamatas
Jiraporn
J
Theerapancharoen
Veerasak
V
Yongvithisatid
Pornpan
P
D000236:Adenoma / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013785:Thailand; D013819:Thermoluminescent Dosimetry; D016896:Treatment Outcome