Hormonal dysfunction is frequent in cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy to the head and neck region

Abstract

Purpose: Cancer treatment may lead to hormonal dysfunction. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence of dysfunction in four hormonal axes among long-term cancer survivors who received radiotherapy to the head and neck region and analyzed associations between hormonal status and clinical variables.

Methods: We included 140 cancer survivors who received radiotherapy to the head and neck region, either locally or through total body irradiation after a diagnosis of lymphoma, plasmacytoma/multiple myeloma, or carcinoma of the epipharynx. Radiation doses to the pituitary gland and thyroid gland were estimated, and blood samples were collected to analyze hormonal levels.

Results: At a median of 16 years after their cancer diagnosis, 46% of cancer survivors showed dysfunction in one hormonal axis, 24% had dysfunction in two axes, and 3% had dysfunction in three axes. Twenty cancer survivors (14%) had hormone levels consistent with pituitary dysfunction. Cancer survivors who had received an estimated 30 Gray (Gy) or more to the pituitary gland had an increased risk for pituitary dysfunction in one of the hormonal axes (odds ratio [OR] 3.16, confidence interval [CI] 1.02-9.87, p = 0.047) and for growth hormone dysfunction alone (OR 2.96, CI 1.02-8.55, p = 0.045).

Conclusions: Abnormal hormone values are frequent after radiotherapy to the head and neck region.

Implications for cancer survivors: Screening for hormonal dysfunction during follow-up might be indicated.

Keywords: Cancer; Hormonal dysfunction; Late effects; Radiotherapy.