Hypofractionated Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: Institutional Experience on Benign and Malignant Intracranial Tumors
Francesco Inserra, Fabio Barone, Paolo Palmisciano, Gianluca Scalia, Valerio Da Ros, Ahmed Abdelsalam, Antonio Crea, M.G. Sabini, Santino Ottavio Tomasi, Gianluca Ferini, Rosario Maugeri, Lidia Strigari, Giuseppe Emmanuele Umana
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: We investigated the treatment outcomes and complications associated with hypofractionated GKRS for the treatment of benign and malignant intracranial tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: workstation, and GKRS protocols were delivered with 3 or 5 daily fractions and a maximal total dose of 25 Gy. The thermoplastic mask was used to immobilize the patient's head without pin-based fixation frames. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients, affected with 6 different histologies, were treated and followed-up for a median of 12 months (range=4-24 months). Meningiomas were the most common tumors (33, 80.5%), followed by brain metastases (4, 9.7%). At last follow-up, 33 patients (80.5%) had stable disease, 8 tumor regression (19.5%), and 0 tumor progression. No acute radiation toxicity was observed. Death was reported in 3 patients (7.3%) due to malignant tumor progression. CONCLUSION: Our hypofractionated GKRS protocol proved to be effective and safe in the treatment of patients with benign and malignant intracranial tumors. Local tumor control was achieved in all patients, with 8 patients showing tumor regression and no cases of acute radiation toxicity.