title: Radiation-associated secondary brain tumors after conventional radiotherapy and radiosurgery.
abstract: Although there is not enough strong molecular evidence for radiation to be a causal factor for the development of secondary brain tumors, a relationship has still been found. There is a slight but significant 2-2.7% increased risk of secondary brain tumors after conventional radiotherapy. However, this risk is small and should not preclude the use of radiotherapy as an effective treatment for uncontrolled pituitary tumors. The risk of radiosurgery-associated secondary brain tumors has not been precisely determined. Taking into account the considerable number of patients who received radiosurgery worldwide and the small number of secondary brain tumors, radiosurgery seems to be a safe treatment modality. This review summarizes the pathogenesis, prevalence and characteristics of secondary brain tumors after conventional radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery for pituitary adenomas.
authors.affiliation: Dr. I Sevki Atasagun Government Hospital, Clinic of Endocrinology, Nevsehir, Turkey. drgcengiz@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Gulcin Cengiz
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Ecemis
authors.forename: Aysegul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Atmaca
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meydan
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors