Abstract | OBJECTIVES: PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients with Cushing's disease were treated with conventional external beam radiotherapy at our Institution between 1988 and 2002. The median age was 38. All patients received radiotherapy following unsuccessful surgery or at tumour recurrence to a dose of 45-50 Gy in 25-28 fractions. The persistence of active disease after surgery was diagnosed by the increased high plasma cortisol levels, high 24 h urinary cortisol levels and absence of cortisol suppression after administration of dexamethasone. RESULTS: The 5 and 10 year local tumour control was 93% and the 5 and 10 year survival was 97 and 95%. Normalization of plasma cortisol was seen in 28% of patients at 1 year, 73% at 3 years, 78% at 5 years and 84% at 10 years. The average timing to remission was 24 months. The most common side effect was hypopituitarism that increased progressively during the follow-up, being present in 62% and in 76% of patients at 5 and 10 years after RT. There were no other serious complications as radiation induced optic neuropathy or second tumours. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | Giuseppe Minniti, Mattia Osti, Marie Lise Jaffrain-Rea, Vincenzo Esposito, Giampaolo Cantore, Riccardo Maurizi Enrici |
Journal | Journal of neuro-oncology
(J Neurooncol)
Vol. 84
Issue 1
Pg. 79-84
(Aug 2007)
ISSN: 0167-594X [Print] United States |
PMID | 17356896
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma
(blood, radiotherapy, surgery)
- Adenoma
(blood, radiotherapy, surgery)
- Adult
- Disease-Free Survival
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Hydrocortisone
(blood)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
(radiotherapy)
- Neoplasm, Residual
(radiotherapy)
- Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion
(blood, radiotherapy, surgery)
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