뇌하수체선종: 방사선치료에 따른 PRL, GH 및 시야변화

Changes in Plasma Prolactin and Growth Hormone Level and Visual Problem after Radiation Therapy (RT) of Pituitary Adenoma

Twenty-four cases of pituitary adenoma, 13 males and 11 females with the age ranging from 11 to 65 years, received radiation therapy(RT) on the pituitary area with 6MV linear accelerator during past 25 months at the Division of Radiation Therapy, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Medical College. Of 24 cases of RT, 20 were postoperative and 4 primary. To evaluate the effect of RT, we analysed the alteration of the endocrinologic tests, neurologic abnormalities, major clinical symptoms, endocrinologic changes and improvement in visual problems after RT. The results were as follows ; 1. Major clinical symptoms were headache, visual defects, diabetes insipidus, hypogonadisms and general weakness in decreasing order of frequency. 2. All but the one with Nelson's syndrome showed abnormal neuroradiologic changes in the sella turcica with an invasive tumor mass around supra· and para-sellar area. 3. Endocrinological classifications of the patient were 11 prolactinoma, 4 growth hormone -secreting tumors, 3 ACTH-secreting tumors consisting of one Cushing's disease and two Nelson's syndrome, and 6 nonfunctioning tumors. 4. Eleven of 14 patients, visual problems were improved after treatment but remaining 3 were unchanged. 5. Seven of 11 prolactinomas returned to normal hormonal level after postoperative and primary RT and 3 patients are being treated with bromocriptine (BMCP) but one lost case. 6. Two of 4 growth hormone·secreting tumor returned to normal level after RT but the remaining 2 are being treated with BMCP, as well.