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Updated: Jul 29, 2026
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gynecologic Cancer
Published on: April 17, 2012
Stereotastic radiosurgery for glomus jugulare tumors
J A Jordan1, P S Roland, C McManus
1Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
Objectives/Hypothesis:
Surgery is considered to be the mainstay of treatment for glomus jugulare tumors. A subset of patients are poor surgical candidates based on age, medical problems, tumor size, or prior treatment failure. The purpose of this study was to review our results with stereotactic radiosurgery (gamma knife treatment) in this group of patients, with particular attention to adverse reactions and symptom relief.
Study Design:
Retrospective review and phone survey.
Methods:
Charts were reviewed for size and location of tumor, history of previous treatment, symptoms before and after treatment, amount of radiation received, acute and late complications, and functional level before and after treatment. Pre-treatment and posttreatment magnetic resonance imaging scans were also reviewed. Identified patients were then contacted for a phone interview.
Results:
Eight patients were identified. Phone interviews were conducted with four patients. Four patients had failed previous treatment. Follow-up ranged from 7 to 104 months. One patient experienced an acute complication: intractable vertigo requiring hospitalization. No patient experienced delayed cranial neuropathies. No patient reported worsening of any of the following symptoms: pulsatile tinnitus, hearing loss, facial weakness, hoarseness, or difficulty swallowing. Three patients reported improvement in their pulsatile tinnitus. Two patients reported improvement in hearing loss, and one patient each reported improvement in vertigo and difficulty swallowing.
Conclusions:
Preliminary results suggest that stereotactic radiosurgery is useful to control symptoms and may be delivered safely in patients with primary or recurrent glomus jugulare tumors who are poor surgical candidates.
Insights
Stereotactic radiosurgery offers a safe and effective treatment option for glomus jugulare tumors in patients unsuitable for surgery. This approach can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiation Oncology
- Oncology
Background:
- Glomus jugulare tumors are rare neoplasms requiring effective treatment.
- Surgery is the primary treatment, but some patients are not surgical candidates.
- Alternative treatments are needed for patients with medical comorbidities or treatment failures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of stereotactic radiosurgery for glomus jugulare tumors.
- To assess symptom relief and adverse reactions in patients treated with gamma knife surgery.
- To determine the utility of radiosurgery in patients with primary or recurrent tumors who are poor surgical candidates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patient charts and imaging.
- Phone surveys to gather post-treatment outcomes and symptom status.
- Analysis of tumor characteristics, radiation dosage, complications, and functional status.
Main Results:
- Eight patients with glomus jugulare tumors were identified; four underwent phone interviews.
- Four patients had prior treatment failures; follow-up ranged from 7 to 104 months.
- One patient experienced acute vertigo; no delayed neuropathies occurred. Symptom improvement was noted in tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo, and swallowing.
Conclusions:
- Stereotactic radiosurgery shows promise for symptom control in glomus jugulare tumors.
- Gamma knife treatment appears safe for patients with glomus jugulare tumors who are poor surgical candidates.
- Radiosurgery may be a valuable therapeutic option for managing complex glomus jugulare tumor cases.
