How To Treat Acromegaly

Conventional Radiation

Conventional radiation may be recommended in cases where cancerous cells are still present after surgery. Patients who receive conventional radiation normally have treatment sessions every weekday for a period of four to six weeks. Most sessions take a maximum of twenty minutes, including time for checking in and waiting. During a session, the patient lies down on a table, and a radiologist guides the patient into the precise position needed for the treatment. As the patient lies on the table, external beams of radiation are directed to specific areas of the head. Radiation treatments are painless, and some patients might hear a humming noise while the equipment is running. Fatigue is the most common side effect of conventional radiation, and patients might also notice some hair loss in the treated area. The skin in the area may appear sunburned, and it could become itchy. Some individuals have reported nausea after treatment. Patients who experience skin changes due to radiation should not try to treat these themselves; some over-the-counter products may make skin symptoms worse. Instead, patients should consult with their radiologist about appropriate ways to manage skin symptoms.

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Stereotactic Radiosurgery

As an alternative to conventional radiation, some patients may undergo stereotactic radiosurgery. This treatment involves the delivery of a very high dose of radiation in a single session, and it limits the amount of radiation delivered to surrounding healthy tissues. Patients who receive stereotactic radiosurgery typically experience normalized growth hormone levels within five years of treatment. The procedure lasts between fifteen to sixty minutes, and it is entirely painless and non-invasive. Patients will need to have an intravenous line placed before the procedure so contrast dyes and medicines can be administered, and they will usually be able to go home within one hour after the treatment is completed. Although uncommon, some individuals have experienced swelling of the brain after this procedure. It typically resolves without treatment, and medication or surgery may be needed if it persists.

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