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Updated: May 7, 2026
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gynecologic Cancer
Published on: April 17, 2012
Cushing's disease: a single centre's experience using the linear accelerator (LINAC) for stereotactic radiosurgery
P J Wilson1, J R Williams2, R I Smee1
1Department of Radiation Oncology, The Prince of Wales Cancer Centre, Level 2, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
Abstract:
Cushing's disease is hypercortisolaemia secondary to an adrenocorticotrophic hormone secreting pituitary adenoma. Primary management is almost always surgical, with limited effective medical interventions available. Adjuvant therapy in the form of radiation is gaining popularity, with the bulk of the literature related to the Gamma Knife. We present the results from our own institution using the linear accelerator (LINAC) since 1990. Thirty-six patients who underwent stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), one patient who underwent fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) and for the purposes of comparison, 13 patients who had undergone conventional radiotherapy prior to 1990, were included in the analysis. Serum cortisol levels improved in nine of 36 (25%) SRS patients and 24 hour urinary free cortisol levels improved in 13 of 36 patients (36.1%). Tumour volume control was excellent in the SRS group with deterioration in only one patient (3%). The patient who underwent FSRT had a highly aggressive tumour refractory to radiation.
