Radiotherapy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Radiotherapy, including details on cancer treatment, side effects.

Long-term results of irradiation for paraganglioma.

Krych AJ, Foote RL, Brown PD, Garces YI, Link MJ

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. foote.robert@mayo.edu

PURPOSE: The management of paragangliomas is controversial. Observation, surgery, external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT), and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) may, alone or in combination, be appropriate, depending on the size and extent of the tumor, previous treatment, and patient age, general health, and neurologic condition. Few data exist regarding long-term tumor control and late effects after EBRT or SRS. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients treated with EBRT or SRS for paraganglioma at our institution between 1967 and 1994. The endpoints of the study were tumor control and late complications. RESULTS: The 33 patients in this study had a median follow-up of 13 years (range, 4 months to 36 years). The 10-year tumor control rate was 92% (95% confidence interval, 75-98%). At the last follow-up visit, no patient had developed a radiation-induced malignancy. CONCLUSION: External-beam RT and SRS are safe and effective for enlarging and/or symptomatic paragangliomas. The risk of developing a delayed radiation-induced malignancy after EBRT or SRS is low. This risk must be weighed against the significant immediate and permanent risk of cranial nerve deficits if the tumor is untreated or is surgically resected. This risk must also be weighed against the immediate but low risk of surgical mortality.

Published 26 June 2006 in Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 65(4): 1063-6.
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