Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis Dysfunction after Whole Brain Radiotherapy - A Cohort Study

Gebauer J, Mehta P, Fahlbusch F, Schmid SM, Rades D, Janssen S (2020)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Anticancer Research International Institute of Anticancer Research (IIAR)

Book Volume: 40

Pages Range: 5787-5792

Journal Issue: 10

DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.14595

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM: Hypothalamic-pituitary (HT-P) dysfunction is one of the most common endocrine late effects following cranial radiotherapy. However, there are currently no specific data describing this complication in adult-onset cancer patients after whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT). The present cohort study aims to establish the prevalence of HT-P axis dysfunction in this group of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six cancer patients previously treated with WBRT (median follow-up=20.5 months) received standardized endocrine check-up focusing on HT-P function. RESULTS: In 50% of the patients, impaired hypothalamic-pituitary function was detected during follow-up. While functional loss of a single hormonal axis was evident in 34.6% of patients, 7.7% showed an impairment of multiple endocrine axes, and one patient developed adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency. Hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction did not directly correlate with the applied WBRT total doses. CONCLUSION: In our cohort, hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction appeared to be common after WBRT and was diagnosed as early as 6 months following radiation. This finding highlights the need for routine endocrine follow-up even in patients with limited life expectancy.

Authors with CRIS profile

Fabian Fahlbusch Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) DE Germany (DE) Universität zu Lübeck DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Gebauer, J., Mehta, P., Fahlbusch, F., Schmid, S.M., Rades, D., & Janssen, S. (2020). Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis Dysfunction after Whole Brain Radiotherapy - A Cohort Study. Anticancer Research, 40(10), 5787-5792. https://doi.org/10.21873/anticanres.14595

MLA:

Gebauer, Judith, et al. "Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis Dysfunction after Whole Brain Radiotherapy - A Cohort Study." Anticancer Research 40.10 (2020): 5787-5792.

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