[Gamma knife treatment for pituitary prolactinomas].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcome of gamma knife for prolactinomas.

METHODS

Eighty-nine patients were treated by gamma knife and 51 were followed up. The dose to the tumor margin ranged from 18 Gy to 35 Gy (mean 26.1 Gy). The maximum radiation dose varied from 36 Gy to 60 Gy (mean 50.41 Gy). The mean tumor diameter was 15.5 mm (5 - 26 mm).

RESULTS

The follow-up data were available for 51 patients ranging from 6 to 108 months (mean 37 months). The tumor growth control rate was 100%. The endocrinological remission rate was 40%. The rate of hypopituitarism was 17.6%.

CONCLUSION

Gamma knife radiosurgery can be used as a primary treatment for selected prolactinomas,especially for pituitary microadenomas.