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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2015; 123(07): 411-418
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1549963
Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Radiotherapy-induced Hypopituitarism in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: the Tip of an Iceberg

S. H. Ipekci
1   Faculty of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
,
M. Cakir   *
2   Meram School of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
,
A. Kiyici   #
3   Department of Biochemistry, Meram School of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
,
O. Koc
4   Department of Radiology, Meram School of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
,
M. Artac
5   Division of Medical Oncology, Meram School of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 27 June 2014
first decision 22 April 2015

accepted 23 April 2015

Publication Date:
26 May 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Background: Radiation-induced hypopituitarism is an important late complication of cranial radiotherapy in children and adults. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the effects of radiotherapy on pituitary function in adult nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

Methods: Pituitary function was evaluated in 30 patients after cranial radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Somatotroph and corticotroph axes were assessed by insulin tolerance test while gonadotroph and thyroid axes were evaluated by basal pituitary and end organ hormone levels at 10–133 months after radiotherapy.

Results: At least one hormonal disorder was observed in 28 (93%) patients after radiotherapy. 26 (87%) patients had one or more anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies. The rates of pituitary hormone deficiencies were 77% for growth hormone, followed by adrenocorticotropic hormone (73%), thyroid-stimulating hormone (27%) and gonadotropins (7%). Hyperprolactinemia was present in 13 (43%) patients.

Conclusions: Radiation-induced hypopituitarism is more common than expected in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Key words

nasopharyngeal carcinoma - hypopituitarism - radiotherapy - radiation-induced hypopituitarism - pituitary hormone deficiency

* Current address: Kent Hospital, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Izmir, Turkey


# Current address: Mevlana University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Konya, Turkey


 

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