Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) in treatment of growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary adenoma.
Methods: 149 patients with GH-secreting pituitary adenoma, 97 males and 52 females, aged 42.8 (12-72 years), with a course of 6-240 months (72.5 months) and with the mean volume of tumor of 2.36 cm(3) (0.11-12.7 cm(3)) were treated by GKS. The mean dose to tumor margin was 20.87 Gy (10-30 Gy). 124 of them were followed up for 30 months (6-72 months).
Results: The serum GH returned normal in 74 patients (64.9%) and declined in comparison with the level before radiosurgery in 23 patients (18.5%). The tumor volume was reduced in 84 patients (67.7%) and remained unchanged in 124 patients (32.4%). Ambiopia appeared in one patient. No other complication was found during the follow-up.
Conclusion: GKS is safe and effective on the treatment of GH-secreting pituitary adenoma.