Gamma Knife radiosurgery for the treatment of brainstem tumors.

Ten patients with brainstem tumors (BST) underwent Gamma Knife radiosurgery. In 5 cases, there were definitive histological diagnoses; ependymoma (n = 3) and CNS lymphoma (n = 2). The others were diagnosed as ependymoma (n = 1), CNS lymphoma (n = 2) and glioma (n = 2) on clinical grounds. Of 4 cases with ependymoma, the tumor showed a marked response in 3 cases. Of 4 cases with CNS lymphoma, all responded rapidly and the clinical symptoms improved markedly. However, in the 2 cases with glioma, the tumor remained unchanged or continued to grow. Gamma Knife radiosurgery was effective in local growth control of BST without adverse effects. An alternative treatment design will be required in glioma cases.