Abstract |
External beam pituitary irradiation has been frequently used in the treatment of growth hormone ( GH) secreting pituitary adenomas. Many studies have demonstrated that serum GH declines rapidly and reliably following treatment and early "cure" rates, based on a basal serum GH below 10 micrograms/L were as high as 80%. The definition of "cure" has become more stringent over time and retrospective studies have indicated that GH must be below 2.5 micrograms/L for acromegalics to achieve mortality rates comparable to a normal population. Only 20% of irradiated patients will achieve this goal by 10 yr. Even fewer will achieve a normal serum insulin-like growth factor I ( IGF-I) levels. Although pituitary irradiation still has a role in the control of tumor size, its importance as a treatment for normalizing serum GH is being reevaluated.
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Authors | C A Jaffe |
Journal | Pituitary
(Pituitary)
Vol. 2
Issue 1
Pg. 55-62
(Jun 1999)
ISSN: 1386-341X [Print] United States |
PMID | 11081173
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Review)
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Topics |
- Acromegaly
(radiotherapy)
- Adenoma
(radiotherapy)
- Animals
- Humans
- Pituitary Gland
- Pituitary Neoplasms
(radiotherapy)
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