[Hypofunction of peripheral target-gland after radiotherapy of pituitary adenoma--an analysis of 140 cases].

One hundred and forty cases of pituitary adenoma, treated by surgery plus radiotherapy or radiotherapy alone from 1978 to 1985, were analysed as to the incidence of hypothalamo-pituitary and peripheral target-gland hypofunction after radiotherapy. The incidence of hypothyroidism, hypogonadism and hypoadrenalism was 51.7%, 61.4% and 17.8%, respectively. Thyroid and gonad were vulnerable following hypothalamo-pituitary hypofunction, and the incidence was 19.2% and 23.5% individually, and 27.1% simultaneously. The incidence of hypoadrenalism was 7.1%. The total incidence of target-gland hypofunction was 10.7%. Hypofunction of the posterior lobe of the pituitary often occurred after operation. For patients treated with radiotherapy alone, the incidence of hypothalamo-pituitary and target-gland hypofunction was high because of higher irradiation dose. Hormonotherapy was successful in the treatment of hypopituitarism and target-gland hypofunction. For radiotherapy of pituitary adenoma, DT 40-45 Gy and treatment field 4 x 4 cm are recommended.