The Effect of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in Treated Glomus Jugulare Tumors in Iran Gamma Knife Center between 2005-2007

Glomus jugulare tumors are encapsulated, slowly growing, highly vascular and locally invasive tumors. These tumors arise from para-ganglionic cells and they are histologically benign. The purpose of this study is to evaluate Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKRS) on the local tumor control. This study is an observational cross-sectional research in which thirty-four patients with histologically confirmed Glomus jugulare tumor underwent GKRS either as primary or an adjuvant therapeutic option. In 83% of patients, GKRS was the only treatment and the rest of the cases had previously undergone microsurgery. The tumor volume ranged from 1.7 to 2.3 cm3, and the Gamma Knife Radiosurgery was performed through 13 to 23 Grays and marginal dose of radiation with irradiation coverage of 35 to 70%. The median follow-up period after surgery was 24 months. The results were analyzed with SPSS V.11.5 and variants have been described as percentage or mean, median and standard deviation. In the all patients the tumor size decreased or remained unchanged. No patient had a tumor growth after the prescribed treatment dose and the major reported complication was the peri-tumoral brain edema. The findings of this study showed that GKRS is an important option for Glomus jugulare tumors either as primary or adjuvant treatment. However, longer follow-up period is necessary to further clarify the long-term outcomes.=