Curative effects of head γ-SRT for the treatment of functional pituitary macroadenoma

The aim of the study was to examine the curative effects and proper radiotherapy plan of head γ-stereotactic radiotherapy (γ-SRT) for the treatment of functional pituitary macroadenoma. Clinical samples of 30 patients that underwent γ-SRT (radiotherapy group) and 26 patients that underwent pituitary adenoma resection via single nasal-sphenoidal approach (surgery group) were analyzed retrospectively and their curative effects were compared. The results showed that in the radiotherapy group, 12 cases accepted single fraction irradiation, with an average maximum diameter of tumor body of 1.8±0.6 cm, average volume of 0.6±0.4 cm³, average dose of the central point of 52.6±18.7 Gy, average dose of the peripheral point of 24.7±10.2 mGy, and isodose curve of 50-70%. The remaining 18 cases accepted multiple fraction irradiation, with an average irradiation of 3.7±1.6 times, maximum average diameter of tumor body of 4.3±1.8 cm, average volume of 4.8±2.7 cm³, average dose of the central point of 24.6±12.5 Gy, average dose of the peripheral point of 13.6±7.4 mGy, and isodose curve of 50-70%. Following treatment, the tumor volumes of patients in the radiotherapy group that received single and multiple irradiation were significantly reduced and the visual acuity and visual field were improved (p<0.05). The two groups were followed up for an average of 3.8 years, and the follow-up results showed that differences of the two groups on the tumor control, mortality and hypopituitarism rates were not statistically significant (p>0.05). In addition, the incidence of complications of the radiotherapy group was significantly decreased as compared to that of the surgery group (p<0.05). In conclusion, γ-SRT was safe and effective for the treatment of functional pituitary adenomas. Its curative effects were equivalent to that of the microscopic single nasal-sphenoidal approach with fewer complications.