Acromegaly radiation therapy: Difference between revisions

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==Overview==
==Overview==
No single treatment is effective for acromegaly. Treatment should be individualized depending on patient characteristics, such as age and [[tumor]] size. The first choice in the treatment of acromegaly is pharmacotherapy. If the tumor has not yet invaded surrounding [[brain]] tissues, removal of the [[pituitary adenoma]] by [[surgery]] is preferred. [[Radiation therapy]] is generally reserved for patients who do not respond adequately to surgery and medication. [[Radiation therapy]] has been used both as a primary treatment and combined with surgery or drugs. It is usually reserved for patients who have tumor remaining after surgery. [[Radiation therapy]] is given in divided doses over four to six weeks. This treatment lowers [[GH]] levels by about 50 percent over 2 to 5 years. Patients monitored for more than 5 years show significant further improvement.
==Radiation Therapy==
==Radiation Therapy==
Radiation therapy has been used both as a primary treatment and combined with surgery or drugs. It is usually reserved for patients who have tumor remaining after surgery. These patients often also receive medication to lower GH levels. Radiation therapy is given in divided doses over four to six weeks. This  treatment lowers GH levels by about 50 percent over 2 to 5 years. Patients monitored for more than 5 years show significant further improvement. Radiation therapy causes a gradual loss of production of other pituitary hormones with time. Loss of vision and brain injury, which have been reported, are very rare complications of radiation treatments.
*[[Radiation therapy]] has been used both as a primary treatment and combined with surgery or drugs.
 
*[[Radiation therapy]] is usually reserved for patients who have [[tumor]] remaining after surgery.<ref name="pmid12040754">{{cite journal |vauthors=Becker G, Kocher M, Kortmann RD, Paulsen F, Jeremic B, Müller RP, Bamberg M |title=Radiation therapy in the multimodal treatment approach of pituitary adenoma |journal=Strahlenther Onkol |volume=178 |issue=4 |pages=173–86 |year=2002 |pmid=12040754 |doi= |url=}}</ref>
No single treatment is effective for all patients. Treatment should be individualized depending on patient characteristics, such as age and tumor size. If the tumor has not yet invaded surrounding brain tissues, removal of the pituitary adenoma by an experienced neurosurgeon is usually the first choice. After surgery, a patient must be monitored for a long time for increasing GH levels. If surgery does not normalize hormone levels or a relapse occurs, a doctor will usually begin additional drug therapy. The first choice should be bromocriptine because it is easy to administer; octreotide is the second alternative. With both medications, long-term therapy is necessary because their withdrawal can lead to rising GH levels and tumor re-expansion. Radiation therapy is generally used for patients whose tumors are not completely removed by surgery; for patients who are not good candidates for surgery because of other health problems; and for patients who do not respond adequately to surgery and medication.
*[[Radiation therapy]] is given in divided doses over four to six weeks.  
 
*[[Radiation therapy]] lowers [[GH]] levels by about 50 percent over 2 to 5 years.  
*Patients monitored for more than 5 years show significant further improvement.
*[[Radiation therapy]] causes a gradual loss of production of other pituitary hormones with time.  
===Complications===
*Loss of [[vision]] and [[brain]] injury are very rare complications of radiation treatments.
==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}

Latest revision as of 21:00, 13 October 2017

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

No single treatment is effective for acromegaly. Treatment should be individualized depending on patient characteristics, such as age and tumor size. The first choice in the treatment of acromegaly is pharmacotherapy. If the tumor has not yet invaded surrounding brain tissues, removal of the pituitary adenoma by surgery is preferred. Radiation therapy is generally reserved for patients who do not respond adequately to surgery and medication. Radiation therapy has been used both as a primary treatment and combined with surgery or drugs. It is usually reserved for patients who have tumor remaining after surgery. Radiation therapy is given in divided doses over four to six weeks. This treatment lowers GH levels by about 50 percent over 2 to 5 years. Patients monitored for more than 5 years show significant further improvement.

Radiation Therapy

  • Radiation therapy has been used both as a primary treatment and combined with surgery or drugs.
  • Radiation therapy is usually reserved for patients who have tumor remaining after surgery.[1]
  • Radiation therapy is given in divided doses over four to six weeks.
  • Radiation therapy lowers GH levels by about 50 percent over 2 to 5 years.
  • Patients monitored for more than 5 years show significant further improvement.
  • Radiation therapy causes a gradual loss of production of other pituitary hormones with time.

Complications

  • Loss of vision and brain injury are very rare complications of radiation treatments.

References

  1. Becker G, Kocher M, Kortmann RD, Paulsen F, Jeremic B, Müller RP, Bamberg M (2002). "Radiation therapy in the multimodal treatment approach of pituitary adenoma". Strahlenther Onkol. 178 (4): 173–86. PMID 12040754.

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