REVIEWS  MEDICAL TREATMENT OF PITUITARY TUMORS 

Minerva Endocrinologica 2016 September;41(3):366-76

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Gamma knife radiosurgery for pituitary adenomas

Jana JEŽKOVÁ, Josef MAREK ✉

Third Department of Medicine, First Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague 2, Czech Republic

Pituitary adenomas are frequently occurring intracranial neoplasms. The aim of the treatment of pituitary adenomas is to normalize hormonal hypersecretion, to preserve the normal pituitary function, to reserve or treat impaired pituitary function and to control tumor growth and its mechanical effects on the surrounding structures. Treatment modalities include surgical, medical and radiation therapy. Radiosurgery is mainly used as a secondary line treatment after surgery for residual or recurrent tumors. The antiproliferative effect is achieved by LKG irradiation in more than 90% of patients. Regarding the functioning pituitary adenomas, the manifestation of the treatment effect is slow and depends mainly on the type of adenoma. Gamma knife irradiation is safe when the maximal doses to pituitary and infundibulum are respected.