Long-term follow-up confirms the efficacy of linac radiosurgery for acoustic neuroma and meningioma patients. A single institution's experience.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term efficacy and toxicity in a group of consecutive patients treated with linear accelerator (linac) radiosurgery for acoustic neuromas and meningiomas.

METHODS

Between 2000 and 2004, 34 patients (median age 65.5 years, range 50-84) with acoustic neuroma or meningioma were treated with linac-based stereotactic radiosurgery with a surface dose of 11-15.5 Gy. The maximum lesion diameter ranged from 10 to 34 mm. Median tumor volume was 5.95cm(3). The follow-up consisted of repeated imaging studies and clinical examination in the first 6 and 12 months after the intervention and yearly thereafter.

RESULTS

Follow-up time ranged from 50 to 99 months (median 75). Nineteen (59%) tumors decreased in size and 13 (41%) remained stable. None of the tumors increased in size in the long-term follow-up, resulting in an overall growth control of 100% for the small number of patients of our study. No patient developed new permanent facial or trigeminal neuropathy or deterioration of preexisting symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Long-term follow-up confirms the efficacy and low toxicity of linac radiosurgery for neuroma and meningioma patients.