Low- vs. high-dose radiotherapy in Graves’ ophthalmopathy: a retrospective comparison of long-term results

Weissmann T, Lettmaier S, Donaubauer AJ, Bert C, Schmidt M, Kruse F, Ott O, Hecht M, Fietkau R, Frey B, Putz F (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Strahlentherapie und Onkologie Urban & Vogel

Abstract

Purpose: Radiotherapy represents an effective treatment option in Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO), leading to palliation of clinical symptoms. However, there are only a limited number of trials comparing the effectiveness of low- vs. high-dose radiotherapy. Methods: We analyzed 127 patients treated with radiotherapy for stage 3/4 GO (NOSPECS classification). Patients were treated with single doses of 2.0 Gy (cumulative dose 20 Gy) until 2007, afterwards a single dose of 0.8 Gy (cumulative dose 4.8 Gy) was applied. With a median follow-up-time of 9.0 years, the treatment efficacy (overall improvement, sense of eye pressure, lid edema, ocular motility, exophthalmos, subjective vision, and diplopia) and adverse effects were analyzed by a standardized survey. Results: Overall, 63.8% described improvement of symptoms after radiotherapy. No significant differences in overall treatment response and improvement of main outcome measures between low- or high-dose radiotherapy treatments are detectable, while low-dose radiotherapy leads significantly more often to retreatment (13.1% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.016). The main independent predictor of treatment response is the presence of lid edema (odds ratio, OR, 3.53; p = 0.006). Conclusion: At long-term follow-up, the majority of patients reported palliation of symptoms with limited adverse effects, suggesting clinical effectiveness of radiotherapy for amelioration of GO symptoms independent of low- or high-dose radiotherapy.

Authors with CRIS profile

Anna-Jasmina Donaubauer Department of Radiation Oncology Christoph Bert Professur für Med. Strahlenphysik Manfred Schmidt Department of Radiation Oncology Friedrich Kruse Lehrstuhl für Augenheilkunde Oliver Ott Medizinische Fakultät Markus Hecht Department of Radiation Oncology Rainer Fietkau Lehrstuhl für Strahlentherapie Benjamin Frey Department of Radiation Oncology Florian Putz Department of Radiation Oncology

How to cite

APA:

Weissmann, T., Lettmaier, S., Donaubauer, A.-J., Bert, C., Schmidt, M., Kruse, F.,... Putz, F. (2021). Low- vs. high-dose radiotherapy in Graves’ ophthalmopathy: a retrospective comparison of long-term results. Strahlentherapie und Onkologie. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00066-021-01770-9

MLA:

Weissmann, Thomas, et al. "Low- vs. high-dose radiotherapy in Graves’ ophthalmopathy: a retrospective comparison of long-term results." Strahlentherapie und Onkologie (2021).

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