Abstract
Therapy for pituitary tumors such as surgery are high rates of relapse. In the use of radiotherapy for pituitary tumors, high-dose irradiation applied to the tumor from out-side of thefocus has been known for many of years. Recently, we introduced that instead of using high-dose irradiation, a very low dose radioisotope emitting chiefly fl-ray has been used, inserted directly into the focus. The radioisotope is inserted into the tumor via the sphenoid sinus and then is destroyed in the wall of the tumor, has been conducted. Our department began to use this therapy in March 1977 and developed a new methodology which came as a result of very improvements. We reported many cases. Methods: It's diagnosis can be ensured by checking for opthalmologic, endocrinological, roentgenologic, cerebrovascular angiography and pneumoencephalography, CT, MRI, PET etc. examinations. The newly developed 32P-colloid solution are injected into the tumor in sella turcica via transsphenoidal approach. Conclusion: We applied this therapy to manypatients with chief complaints of headache, disturbed visual acuity and a disturbed visual field, symptoms associated with elevated intracranial pressure. All patients responded well by this therapy, the symptoms disappeared after new method and returned to normal life until now. Long follow-up revealed a very well outcome and no recurrence of tumor again. This new treatment is easy to apply, safe effective and is considered to be particularly suitable for elderly or physically weak patients, patients with recurrence after craniotomy, those who are afraid of surgery.
