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THE RADIATION TREATMENT OF PITUITARY ADENOMAS

Journal Article · · Journal of Neurosurgery (U.S.)
From 1940 to 1959, 130 patients with pituitery adenomas were treated with external radiation. In 99 patients the diagnosis was chromophobe adenoma and in 31 eosinophilic adenoma. All patients were treated by a single course of consecutive daily sessions, the majority with x rays (200 to 250 kv range). Of these, 31 patients were treated with a dose of 2000 r (estimated tumor dose) in about 21/2% to 3 weeks. Others received an estimated tumor dose of about 3000 r in about 31/2 to 4 weeks. Since 1955, 49 patients were treated with Co/sup 60/ or Cs/sup 137/ radiation to calculated tumor doses of about 4000 r in 4 to 41/2 weeks. Satisfactory results were obtained in 58.3% of patients with chromophobe adenoma and 83.3% of those with eosinophilic adenoma. Good results also were obtained in 5 of 8 patients with Cushing's syndrome treated primarily by radiation. One case of complete clinical reversal of acromegaly following irradiation is presented. Improvement in results was noted with increase in radiation dosage; 44.4% satisfactory results were noted with doses of 2000 to 2500 r, 80.8% with doses of 2900 to 3500 r, and 79.3% with doses of about 4000 r. Co/sup 60/ and Ci/sup 137/ teletherapy showed advantages, such as reduced volume of tissue irradiated and skin- and hair-sparing effects. This survey shows no significant difference in the results obtained by surgery plus irradiation and by radiotherapy alone. However, some patients with a rapidly progressive course and, therefore a poorer prognosis, more often were treated initially with surgery. (H.H.D.)
Research Organization:
Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-17-005840
OSTI ID:
4767642
Journal Information:
Journal of Neurosurgery (U.S.), Journal Name: Journal of Neurosurgery (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 19; ISSN JONSA
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English