Glomus tumors treated with stereotactic radiosurgery: A retrospective study

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Radiation Oncology
• Oncology

Background:

• Glomus tumors of the skull base pose surgical challenges due to their vascularity and proximity to critical structures, risking incomplete resection and high morbidity.
• Traditional management often involves surgery, but recent advancements explore combined approaches with radiosurgery.
• Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is increasingly considered as an upfront therapy for these tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) as an upfront treatment for glomus tumors of the skull base.
• To assess tumor control rates, symptom resolution, and complication rates following SRS.
• To present institutional experience with this therapeutic approach.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 13 consecutive patients with glomus tumors treated with SRS from February 2010 to April 2012.
• Tabulation of tumor control rate, symptom resolution, and complication incidence.
• Median follow-up of 47.4 months.

Main Results:

• A high tumor control rate of 92.3% was observed in the treated cohort (all female, median age 63).
• Significant tumor shrinkage occurred in 46.7% of patients by a median of 17 months post-treatment.
• Symptomatic relief, particularly for tinnitus (87.5% resolution), correlated with tumor size reduction, though not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) demonstrates effectiveness as an upfront treatment modality for glomus tumors.
• SRS offers a promising alternative for managing skull base glomus tumors, potentially reducing surgical risks.
• Further research may explore optimizing SRS parameters for maximal efficacy and minimal complications.