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Pituitary and Pituitary Region Tumors: Fractionated Radiation Therapy Perspective

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Principles and Practice of Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Abstract

Fractionated radiotherapy for pituitary tumors and tumors arising in the parasellar region has been used for a century. The multidisciplinary nature of optimal management of tumors of the anterior skull base has been clearly established; the expertise of endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, neuroradiologists, neuroophthalmologists, and laboratory medicine specialists are all commonly required to optimally manage tumors that arise in the pituitary or pituitary region. The skull base structures surrounding the pituitary gland are anatomically complex [1]. The proximity of a number of important vascular structures and cranial nerves makes a surgical approach to tumors arising in the pituitary region complex; accordingly, complete resections with acceptable operative morbidity can be difficult to achieve. Iatrogenic damage may occur during the treatment of an anterior skull base tumor that may result in endocrinologic, visual, or other neurologic deficits. Radiation can induce second tumors and cause endocrine insufficiencies. It is easy to appreciate the potential of iatrogenic damage to decrease the quality of life for patients that may live for decades after an intervention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Jonathan P.S. Knisely MD, FRCPC (Associate Professor)

  2. Yale Cancer Center, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA

    Jonathan P.S. Knisely MD, FRCPC (Associate Professor)

  3. Gamma Knife Center, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Paul W. Sperduto MD, MAPP (Co-Director)

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  1. Jonathan P.S. Knisely MD, FRCPC
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  2. Paul W. Sperduto MD, MAPP
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Lawrence S. Chin MD (Professor and Chairman) (Professor and Chairman)

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, MD, USA

    William F. Regine MD (Professor and Chairman) (Professor and Chairman)

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Knisely, J.P., Sperduto, P.W. (2008). Pituitary and Pituitary Region Tumors: Fractionated Radiation Therapy Perspective. In: Chin, L.S., Regine, W.F. (eds) Principles and Practice of Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-71070-9_28

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-71070-9_28

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