The experience of stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy use in combined treatment of pituitary adenomas

Abstract

Introduction. Pituitary tumors take the third place in a structure of CNS neoplasms and ranged from 4 to 17% of all brain tumors.The purpose. To study features of stereotactic ray methods in treatment of pituitary adenomas, to estimate efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy in pituitary adenomas combined treatment.Materials and methods. Stereotactic treatment was performed in 19 patients with pituitary macroadenomas (in 6 cases stereotactic radiosurgery was used, in 13 — stereotactic radiotherapy). Neurosurgical operations have been performed previously in 16 patients. In terms 3–6 and 9–12 month after stereotactic surgery MRI control with contrast was used.Results. Tumor’s partial answer on MRI (regression at least 15% of primary focus volume) was noted in 54% cases, it’s stabilizing (±15% of tumor’s original volume) — in 46%. Over a period of 6 months after stereotactic treatment reduction of pituitary adenomas was in average 27%, over 12 months — 46%.Conclusions. The experience of stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy use in patients with pituitary adenomas demonstrates the high efficacy of the methods, especially after partial removal of invasive and drug-resistant adenomas.