Stereotactic radiosurgery for secreting pituitary tumors

Abstract

Radiosurgery (SRS) or Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT) is a standard procedure as second-line treatment in patients with pituitary adenoma, when cure with the initial surgical and/or hormonal treatment is not possible. When compared to conventional Radiotherapy (RT), the stereotactic procedure shows a reduction of risks especially in visual and pituitary alterations. The prognosis of this type of intervention in the long-term control of tumor growth is excellent in 95 to 100% of the cases. In patients who have secreting tumors, reduction or normalization of elevated hormone levels are observed (40 to 92%). In general, the latency time is more than16 months and is dependent on the dose and the number of fractions. The best results are observed in Acromegaly, followed by Cushing`s Disease and Prolactinoma.