ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To provide the first description of hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and evaluate tumor control and safety for vagal paragangliomas (VPs), which begin at the skull base but often have significant extracranial extension. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary-referral neurotology and neurosurgery practice. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Five VPs in 4 patients (all male, ages 15-56 years) underwent SRS between 2010 and 2018. Outcome measures included tumor dimensions on serial imaging, cranial nerve function, and radiation side effects. RESULTS: CyberKnife hypofractionated SRS was performed. The prescription dose was 24 or 27 Gy (maximum dose 33.4 Gy; range, 29.3-35.5 Gy) delivered in 3 equal fractions. The mean isodose line was 79% (range, 76%-82%). Four VPs were treated primarily, and 1 tumor underwent SRS to treat regrowth 2 years after microsurgical subtotal resection via the modified infratemporal fossa approach. The treatment volume ranged from 8.81 to 86.3 cm3 (mean, 35.7 cm3). All demonstrated stable size (n = 3) or regression (n = 2) at last follow-up, 63 to 85 months after SRS (mean, 76 months). One patient had stable premorbid vocal fold paralysis from a prior ipsilateral glomus jugulare tumor resection. All others demonstrated normal vagal function following SRS. Treatment-related side effects, including dysgeusia (n = 1), mucositis (n = 1), and neck soft-tissue edema (n = 2), were self-limited. CONCLUSIONS: Hypofractionated SRS appears to be both safe and effective for treating VPs, including large-volume and predominantly extracranial tumors, while preserving vagal function. SRS should be considered as a cranial nerve preservation option, especially in settings of contralateral lower cranial nerve deficits or in those with multiple paragangliomas risking both vagal nerves.
Subject(s)
Cranial Nerve Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Paraganglioma/radiotherapy , Radiosurgery/methods , Robotics/methods , Vagus Nerve , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging/methods , Retrospective Studies , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) from breast cancer is usually a rapidly fatal condition, with median overall survival reported to be 15 weeks. Conventional treatment for LMD includes craniospinal irradiation and intrathecal (IT) methotrexate. However, the role of stereotactic radiation for leptomeningeal disease remains poorly defined. This case report describes our experience using Cyberknife radiosurgery to treat a 49-year-old female with HER-2+ breast cancer and focal/nodular leptomeningeal metastases that were refractory to craniospinal irradiation and concurrent IT chemotherapy. This combined approach--i.e., craniospinal irradiation, IT chemotherapy, and Cyberknife Radiosurgery for local, recurrent metastases--resulted in survival of 46 months with controlled disease. Based on our experience with this patient, we believe further consideration of radiosurgery for LMD is warranted.
