| خلاصه مقاله | Abstract
Purpose:
Although rare, acromegaly is an intensive condition in which growth hormone hypersecretion results in metabolic changes. Multiple therapeutic procedures including surgery, pharmacotherapy, and radiotherapy might be employed. Radiotherapy (RT) provides disease management through biochemical control with or without combined medical therapy. The present investigation intended to assess the efficacy of conventional radiotherapy in postoperative acromegaly patients during 15 years of follow-up based on the
precise cut-off criteria of cure.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was undertaken in 55 cases of acromegaly followed for 13.5 ±2.5 yr., cured with conventional RT (average dose, 52 Gy) following pituitary surgery. Subjects were assessed for hormonal evaluations including basal and glucose-suppressed growth hormone (GH), IGF-1, and side effects of RT, for about 15 years.
Results:
Basal GH concentration declined from 20·7 ± 7·0 µg/l to 11·2 ± 4·3 µg/l (P < 0·001), at 2 years and to 5.8 ±1.2 µg/l (P < 0·001) at 5 years and to 2.2 ±0.8 µg/l (P < 0·001) at 10 years after radiotherapy. The suppressed GH levels <1µg/l were achieved in 9% of patients after 2 years, 25% of patients at 5 years, 42% at 10 years, and 76% at 15 years. IGF-1 decreased to the normal range in 5% of subjects at 2 years, 14% at 5 years, 38% at 10 years, and 60 % at 15 years. After 10 years, 78% of patients developed hypogonadism, 80% hypothyroidism and 82% hypocortisolism. In 4% of patients neurological complications were observed 10 years after radiotherapy, and 4% developed visual impairment and optic neuropathy after 5 years of RT.
Conclusion:
The findings of the study advocate the application of conventional radiotherapy as an efficient strategy in the long-term control of patients with unsuccessful medical therapy and surgery. However, the high prevalence of late hypopituitarism has to be considered. |