Long-term effects of radiotherapy for acromegaly

Radiotherapy is a largely safe procedure and if carefully carried out, has few side effects. It is most frequently indicated after unsuccessful or incompletely successful surgery. Often in these circumstances, growth hormone levels are significantly reduced by surgery, although not to normal. Radiotherapy can work more quickly if growth hormone levels have been reduced to less than 50 mU/L. The beneficial effects of radiotherapy on growth hormone secretion continue for more than 10 years after its administration.