Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Radiation Therapy for Acromegaly

Adomas Bunevicius, Daniel Trifiletti, Jason Sheehan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Adequate and timely control of acromegaly is important for optimized patient prognosis. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), fractionated radiation therapy, and proton beam therapy are used for contemporary management of growth hormone-producing pituitary adenomas. Irradiation of growth hormone secreting pituitary adenomas is recommended after incomplete adenoma resection or when suppressive medical therapy is not well tolerated or does not sufficiently control acromegaly. SRS is the most commonly used method for pituitary irradiation as it allows spatially precise irradiation of recurring, persistent, and/or invading adenoma tissue. Fractionated radiation therapy is also an effective treatment method with acceptable safety profile and is used in centers without SRS availability. Proton therapy is another alternative however with more limited availability. The most common complication of pituitary irradiation is delayed postradiation therapy hypopituitarism that should be monitored and appropriately managed. Radiation-induced cranial neuropathy as well as other more serious and irreversible complications, such as radiation necrosis and radiation-induced brain tumors, are rare.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationContemporary Endocrinology
PublisherHumana Press Inc.
Pages185-206
Number of pages22
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Publication series

NameContemporary Endocrinology
ISSN (Print)2523-3785
ISSN (Electronic)2523-3793

Keywords

  • Acromegaly
  • Complications
  • Fractionated radiation therapy
  • Growth hormone
  • Insulin-like growth factor 1
  • Radiosurgery
  • Remission
  • Stereotactic radiosurgery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

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