Adrenal Insufficiency in Patients with Corticosteroid-Refractory Cerebral Radiation Necrosis Treated with Bevacizumab.

ABSTRACT: Cerebral radiation necrosis is a common complication of the radiotherapy of brain tumours that can cause significant mortality. Corticosteroids are the standard of care, but their efficacy is limited and the consequences of long-term steroid therapy are problematic, including the risk of adrenal insufficiency (AI). Off-label treatment with the vascular endothelial growth factor A antibody bevacizumab is highly effective in steroid-resistant radiation necrosis. Both the preservation of neural tissue integrity and the cessation of steroid therapy are key goals of bevacizumab treatment. However, the withdrawal of steroids may be impossible in patients who develop AI. In order to elucidate the frequency of AI in patients with cerebral radiation necrosis after treatment with corticosteroids and

SUBMITTER: Voss M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6832264 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature