Analysis of 68 patients with pituitary adenoma treated by radiotherapy

Background Objectives:Pituitary adenoma is a common intracranial tumors,and can be treated by surgery or radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to compare the result of pituitary adenoma treated by radiotherapy and surgery combined with radiotherapy. Materials and Methods:From March 1980 to January 1992, 68 patients with pituitary adenoma were treated by radiotherapy in our hospital. Sixteen patients were treated by radiotherapy alone and 52 patients were treated by surgery followed with radiotherapy. The median dose was 49 7 Gy. Fourty five patients were treated with Co60γ ray, 10 patients with 8MV X ray and 13 patients with 18MV X ray. Results:The overall 5 and 10 year survival rates were 94 1% and 76 8%, respectively. The 5 and 10 year local control rates were 94 1% and 88.4%, respectively. The local control rate of patients irradiated more than 50 Gy (94%) was higher than those under 50 Gy (82%),but without statistic significance(P=0.1796). There were no differences among the different pathology and hormone secreting of the tumor,and rays used. Eight patients died from tumor recurrence, and 6 patients with hypopituitarism, five of them received more than 50 Gy (P=0 0058). Conclusion:It is better for patients with pituitary adenoma to be irradiated between 45 Gy～50 Gy. Three fields technique should be recommended.