Fractionated Stereotactic Radiation Therapy for Pituitary Adenomas: An alternative escalating protocol of hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy delivering 35 Gy in 5 fractions

Purpose. - Evaluate efficacy and toxicity of hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HSRT) for patients treated for pituitary adenoma (PA) with an alternative HSRT escalating protocol delivering 35 Gy in 5 fractions. Material and methods. - From June 2007 to March 2017, 29 patients with pituitary adenoma were treated in Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Centre with an alternative HSRT protocol. Prescribed dose was 35 Gy in 5 fractions of 7 Gy. Radiographic responses were assessed by annual MRI. Hormone blood samples were evaluated each year after HSRT. Results. - A total of 29 patients aged between 23 and 86 years (median 54 years) were included. Twelve patients received HSRT for recurrent cases and 12 received postoperative adjuvant HSRT, 5 patients did not have surgery. After a median follow-up period of 47 months local control rate was 96%. One patient presented an out-field tumor regrowth 73 months after HSRT. The majority of PA were endocrine active (18 patients, 62%). After HSRT, 8 patients (44%) presented complete response on initial secretion, 4 patients (23%) presented partial response on initial secretion. Four patients (14%) presented grade 2 or more acute radiation toxicities. One grade 4 visual disorder was observed for one patient. Conclusions. - HSRT delivering 35 Gy in 5 fractions represents a feasible treatment and shows promising results to reduce hormonal overproduction and to improve local control in PA. (C) 2021 Societe francaise de radiotherapie oncologique (SFRO). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HSRT) for pituitary adenoma (PA) and found that delivering 35 Gy in 5 fractions is a feasible treatment option that can reduce hormonal overproduction and improve local control.