Comparison of Conventional External Radiotherapy and Stereotactic Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Pituitary Adenoma
Putipun Puataweepong MD*, Mantana Dhanachai MD*, Somjai Dangprasert MD*, Jiraporn Laothamatas MD*, Veerasak Theerapancharoen MD**, Pornpan Yongvithisatid MSc***
Affiliation : * Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand *** Radiosurgery Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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.
Keywords : Adenoma, Pituitary neoplasms, Radiosurgery, Radiotherapy, Stereotaxic techniques
