Advances in stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of pituitary adenomas.

摘要

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Stereotactic radiosurgery has become the preferred radiation treatment modality for secreting and nonsecreting pituitary adenomas, although randomized studies comparing delivery systems, fractionation and dose have not been performed. RECENT FINDINGS: The technical achievement of radiosurgery delivery systems has minimized the radiation dose to surrounding normal tissue compared with external beam radiotherapy. With a reduction in acute and chronic side effects, the total dose to abnormal tissue can be increased allowing for greater tumor control. SUMMARY: The radiobiology, control rates and normal tissue tolerances of stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of pituitary adenomas is reviewed.