Toxicity profiles of fractionated radiotherapy, contemporary stereotactic radiosurgery, and transsphenoidal surgery in nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas

Background: Here, we compared the toxicity profiles of contemporary stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), modern fractionated radiotherapy (FRT), and transsphenoidal surgery used to treat non functioning pituitary macroadenomas. Methods: We included the data of patients with non functioning pituitary macroadenomas. To compare treatment outcomes, the patients were categorized groups 1 (those receiving modern FRT), 2 (those receiving contemporary SRS), and 3 (those receiving transsphenoidal surgery). The multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to yielded adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and their 95% CIs for local recurrence in groups 2 and 3 compared with group 1. Results: We included the data of 248 patients with non functioning pituitary macroadenomas. The analytical results revealed no significant differences in second primary brain or head and neck cancer, hypopituitarism, or optic nerve injury between the three cohorts. The multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that compared with group 1, the aHRs (95% CIs) for stroke risk in groups 2 and 3 were 0.37 (0.14–0.99) and 0.51 (0.31–0.84), respectively. Conclusion: Contemporary SRS and transsphenoidal surgery for non functioning pituitary macroadenoma treatment have equivalent toxicity profiles. However, modern FRT for non functioning pituitary macroadenoma treatment might considerably increase stroke risk.