Radiation therapy alone for growth hormone-producing pituitary adenomas.

Abstract

We present our experience in the treatment of growth hormone (GH)-producing pituitary adenomas using irradiation alone. Between 1983 and 1991, 21 patients suffering from GH-secreting pituitary adenomas were treated with radiotherapy alone. Two bilateral opposing coaxial fields were used in 10 patients and in the remaining 11 a third frontovertex field was added. Treatment was given in 1.8-2 Gy daily fractions and total dose ranged between 45 and 54 Gy. Treatment was given using a cobalt unit. Four patients treated with somatostatin prior to and 14 patients treated after the end of radiotherapy experienced symptom relief for 6-28 weeks. The 5-year actuarial rate of disease control was 72%. Five out of six failed patients had macroadenomas. Hypopituitarism was observed in 5/21 (24%) patients. Whereas RT alone is effective in the treatment of microadenomas, this is not true for large infiltrative macroadenomas.

• Authors: G A Plataniotis, J R Kouvaris, L Vlahos, C Papavasiliou
• Journal: Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden) (Acta Oncol) Vol. 37 Issue 1 Pg. 97-9 ( 1998) ISSN: 0284-186X [Print] England
• PMID: 9572661 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Neoplasm Proteins
• Growth Hormone

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Female
• Growth Hormone (metabolism)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Proteins (metabolism)
• Pituitary Neoplasms (metabolism, radiotherapy)
• Prolactinoma (metabolism, radiotherapy)
• Radiotherapy (adverse effects)
• Treatment Outcome