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Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gynecologic Cancer
Published on: April 17, 2012
Radiosurgery for benign intradural spinal tumors
Peter C Gerszten1, Steven A Burton, Cihat Ozhasoglu
1Departments of Neurological Surgery and Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. gersztenpc@upmc.edu
Neurosurgery
|May 23, 2008
Summary
Stereotactic radiosurgery shows clinical effectiveness for benign spinal tumors, offering pain relief and tumor control. Further long-term studies are needed to define its role, especially in neurofibromatosis patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiation Oncology
- Spinal Oncology
Background:
- Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is established for intracranial benign tumors.
- Its efficacy for spinal benign tumors is less understood and debated.
- This study assesses SRS for selected benign spinal tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical efficacy of radiosurgery in treating benign spinal tumors.
- To assess radiosurgery's role within the broader treatment paradigm for these lesions.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-three patients with benign intradural extramedullary spinal tumors (neurofibroma, schwannoma, meningioma) underwent radiosurgery.
- Patients ranged from 18-85 years; follow-up was 8-71 months.
- Tumors included primary treatment, postsurgical residual, or progression cases.
Main Results:
- All tumors showed long-term radiographic control.
- 73% of patients with pain experienced long-term improvement.
- Three patients (4%) developed radiation-induced spinal cord toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Single-fraction radiosurgery is clinically effective for benign extramedullary spinal neoplasms.
- SRS offers short-term clinical benefits, complementing surgical options.
- Long-term efficacy and role in neurofibromatosis require further investigation.
