title: Stereotactic radiation therapy for skull base recurrences: Is a salvage approach still possible?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A literature review was performed to analyse the role of stereotactic radiotherapy given in a single shot or in a fractionated fashion for recurrent skull base tumours in order to ascertain if it can be a real salvage approach.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The management of recurrent skull base tumours can have a curative or palliative intent and mainly includes surgery and RT.
  
  
  METHODS
  One-thousand-ninety-one articles were found in the search databases and the most relevant of them were analysed and briefly described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data on recurrences of meningioma, pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma, chordoma and chondrosarcoma, vestibular schwannoma, glomus jugulare tumours, olfactory neuroblastoma and recurrences from head and neck tumours invading the base of skull are reported highlighting the most relevant results in terms of local control, survival, side effects and complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, it emerges that SRS and FSRT are effective and safe radiation modalities of realize real salvage treatment for recurrent skull base tumours.
authors.affiliation: Chair of Radiotherapy, University Hospital "Maggiore della Carità", Novara, Italy ; Department of Translational Medicine, University of "Piemonte Orientale", Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krengli
authors.affiliation: Chair of Radiotherapy, University Hospital "Maggiore della Carità", Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Apicella
authors.affiliation: Chair of Radiotherapy, University Hospital "Maggiore della Carità", Novara, Italy ; Department of Translational Medicine, University of "Piemonte Orientale", Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Deantonio
authors.affiliation: Chair of Radiotherapy, University Hospital "Maggiore della Carità", Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paolini
authors.affiliation: Chair of Radiotherapy, University Hospital "Maggiore della Carità", Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Masini
keywords: Recurrence; Review; Skull base; Stereotactic radiotherapy; Tumours