Gender Differences in Pituitary Somatotropinomas Size After Radiation Therapy

S. Isaeva*^a (Ms), Z. Khalimova^a (Prof), S. Safarova^a (Dr), M. Khokimboeva^b (Ms)

^a Republican Center of Endocrinology, Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN ; ^b Science Center 51, Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN

* dr.saodat01@mail.ru

Aim. The results of radiation therapy (RT) for acromegaly depending on gender.

Materials and methods. 94 patients with acromegaly were examined, including 26 (27.7%) men and 68 (72.3%) women. The mean age was 43.8±10.4 years. All patients received RT 45-60 Gy for 20-25 fractions every other day, only 2 patients received SRS CyberKnife dose 45 Gy.

Results. The results of the study showed that in men (in 84.6% of cases) and in women (in 84% of cases) macroadenomas were significantly more common (p<0.01). The incidence of giant adenomas was significantly lower (11.5% and 13.2%, respectively), and microadenomas in our study were found in men in 3.4%, in women only in 2.9%. After RT, cases of microadenoma in men increased to 34.6% and in women to 33.8%. The frequency of macroadenomas decreased to 65.4% and 63.2%, respectively, due to shrinkage of giant and macroadenomas. Cases of giant adenomas decreased to 2.9%.

It should be noted that only 2 women had a recurrence of somatotropinoma. This is explained by the fact that giant adenomas after RT decreased in size to macroadenomas, but one patient with a macroadenoma developed a relapse and the second patient had resistance to RT, which manifested itself with a high level of growth hormone and IGF-1 and continued growth of somatotropinoma.

Conclusion. With an increase in the duration of the post-radiation period, the volumes of macro- and giant adenomas significantly decreased. The highest efficiency of RT was found in males.

The author has declared no conflict of interest.