Objective: To estimate the efficacy of Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKR) especially as a primary surgical treatment for hypersecreting pituitary adenoma.
Methods: One hundred and twenty cases with hypersecreting pituitary adenoma had been treated by Gamma knife radiosurgery. The clinical date had been analysed retrospectively. The tumor margin was covered by an isodose ranging from 45% to 70%. The margin dose was 15 to 32 Gy (mean 28.5 Gy) and the maximum dose varied from 35 to 70 Gy (mean 45.5 Gy). The total number of isocenter was 165 (mean 1-3).
Results: One hundred and eleven cases had been followed-up by hormone level, and 104 cases had been followed-up by image of MRI. The mean follow-up duration was 12-72 months (mean 36 months). The control rate of hormone level was 48.6%, the control rate of tumor growth was 96.2%, the incidence of hypopituitarism was in 2.7% and the incidence of tumor apoplexy was in 0.9% in followed-up cases.
Conclusions: As a primary surgical treatment for hypersecreting pituitary adenoma, GKR can be effective and safe in controlling tumor growth and inducing hormonal normalization.