Implantation of Y90 Seeds in the Therapy of Hypophyseal Tumors

Abstract

Results obtained by intramural implantation of Y90 seeds in patients affected by hypophyseal tumors are presented. Advantages and limits of this method are discussed and compared with those obtained by other methods. In comparison with surgical hypophysectomy there is the advantage of less traumatism; with external radiotherapy, the possibility of irradiating the sella turcica with a very high dose. The authors deem that the dose necessary to destroy the neoplastic tissue is lower than that used for irradiation of normal pituitary tissue in order to reach a complete radiological hypophysectomy. Consequently, the treatment schemas elaborated for the 10 cases now presented, have been worked out with the aim to give to the sella turcica a dose superior or equal to 20,000 rad. Through the valuation of the post-implantation dose, it was possible to establish that the perisellar area had received a dose of 2–3,000 rad. Nevertheless, a clear and persistent improvement in patients who had a remarkable reduction of the visual field had been obtained.