Comparison of conventional external radiotherapy and stereotactic radiotherapy in the treatment of pituitary adenoma.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of pituitary adenoma treated with conventional external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) versus stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS/SRT). METHOD AND MATERIAL: Data of patients with pituitary adenoma treated at Radiotherapy and Oncology unit, Ramathibodi Hospital between 1990 from 2003 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Twenty-two patients were treated with EBRT and 51 patients were treated with SRS/SRT. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival and local control rates were not different between the EBRT and SRS/SRT group (91% vs 100%, p = 0.10; 95% vs 96%, p = 0.33). The 5-year freedom from newly initiated hormonal replacement was 50% in EBRT and 75% in SRS/SRT group (p = 0.38). CONCLUSION: At a similar outcome but with lower expense of resources, EBRT should be considered an acceptable radiation technique for patients with pituitary adenoma, especially in developing countries such as Thailand.