Hi Cosmo, I had sterotatic radiation in 2003, and I posted my story here, perhaps you read it. I have a pit tumor that causes hyperporlatinemia. I had decided to presue a surgery opiton, as opposed to drug treatment for a couple of reasons: I had been on Dostinex, but could no longer afford it, so switched to bromocrpitine, but could no longer tolerate the side effects. My NS had me do an MRI and they found that I had "partial empty sella syndrom" which had pushed my pit gland over to the sinus cavern, and was no longer a canidate for surgery. So, we decided to do the radiation option. I spent alot of time on Medscape researching the radiation option, and also, my NS and the radiation onocologist discussed the possible negative side effects. I had Novalis shaped beam radiation, a one treatment protocol. But here was my dilema, stop the bromo, and let the prolaction level increase unchecked, and suffer the effects of hyperprolactinemia, (which for me included ammenorhea, and lots of emotional problems, which caused me much grief!) Or, have the radtiation surgery, and face the possibility of hypopituitarism. Well, with both a pit tumor and empty sella, I felt that hypopituitarism is a possibilty anyway. At any rate, my NS has me get a MRI yearly to monitor my tumor. I just had my check up with her and the MRI showed no sign of growth. However, my prolaction level, which earlier this year had been 167, (it was approx 475 at the time of surgery) was now at 320. I have an appointment with my endo on this Friday, and she will be checking my prolaction level again, and I think the 320 is not correct. I have been feeling pretty well, and am having a period, which I had regualarly when my prolaction was lowered by the bromo, but I have not had for two years. So I will learn more later this week. I used to work in a bookstore and have seen a book about raditation therapies and how they work, (sorry, can't remember the title) but you might search your library to see if you can find some books on the subject. I don't feel I can say at this time if the radiation worked or didn't work for me, the reason is, my feelings are that whaterver treatment one chooses, (drugs, surgery, radiation, ect) there are many possible outcomes, and the results are ongoing through time. My NS told me that it would take 2 years to see how well the radiation worked, so two years aren't over yet, and my doc's monitor my conditon with MRI and hormone levels of pit hormones not just prolaction. One of my goals with radiation was the hope *if* I needed to go on meds again, it would be much lower doses than I had been on, (which were high, the bromo was up to 15mg a day-yuck!) This has not been decided yet, and will be looked at later this week, depending on what my prolaction level is. Bottom line for me is: what are the risks of possible surgery -vs- continuing drugs -vs- doing nothing. After researching the options I decided on radiation. All I can say to someone else is to do what you are doing-gather the best info you can, talk to others, learn what the risks are and what options you feel you can tolerate and then decide. Good luck and good health , Maureen |
