Treatment for Pituitary Adenomas
Tumors in the pituitary region present special problems for conventional radiosurgery that may be better treated by Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Proximity of tumor to the optic nerves or chiasm presents the potential risk of blindness due to radiation injury to the optic operatus. Special “blocking” techniques in Gamma Knife radiosurgery add extra protection to the optic nerves beyond simple conformal planning.
Gamma Knife radiosurgery may be used as an adjunct to subtotal surgery or recurrent tumor. Radiosurgery generally leads to a more rapid reduction in abnormal pituitary tumor hormone levels than conventional radiation.
Protocols examining staged or fractionated Gamma Knife radiosurgery may extend the benefit of this treatment to a greater fraction of pituitary tumors.
To schedule an evaluation with a Burkhardt Brain Tumor Center specialist to determine if Gamma Knife radiosurgery is an option for you, please call our Appointment Center at 216.636.5860 or toll-free at 866.588.2264.