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Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Pituitary Adenomas: Single-Center Experience in 75 Consecutive Patients
Sean M Barber1, Bin S Teh, David S Baskin
1*Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas; ‡Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas; §Kenneth R. Peak Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.
Background:
Early results of postoperative fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) for functional and nonfunctional pituitary adenomas appear promising, but the majority of available evidence draws from small series with insufficient follow-up data to draw meaningful conclusions.
Objective:
To evaluate the long-term outcomes of a large series of patients undergoing FSRT for both functional and nonfunctional pituitary adenomas with the Novalis system (BrainLAB, Heimstetten, Germany).
Methods:
Chart data for 75 consecutive patients undergoing FSRT for a pituitary tumor (21 functional and 54 nonfunctional adenomas) at our institution between January 2004 and June 2013 were reviewed.
Results:
Radiographic progression-free survival was 100% over a mean of 47.8 months of radiographic follow-up (range, 12.0-131.2 months). Hormonal normalization was seen in 69.2% of patients with functional adenomas after FSRT, whereas 30.8% experienced partial hormonal control. Mild, grade I acute adverse effects were observed during radiotherapy treatment in 36 patients (48%), and objective, persistent worsening of vision occurred in a single patient (1.5%) after FSRT. New hormonal deficits were seen in 28.0% of patients after FSRT. Radiographic responses were inversely related to tumor volume.
Conclusion:
FSRT delivers radiographic and functional outcomes similar to those seen with stereotactic radiosurgery and conventional radiotherapy with less resultant toxicity. FSRT is most beneficial for smaller tumors (those <3 cm in diameter).
Abbreviations:
EBRT, external beam radiotherapyFSRT, fractionated stereotactic radiotherapyOR, odds ratioPTV, planning target volumeSRS, stereotactic radiosurgery.
