title: Chronic neuroendocrinological sequelae of radiation therapy.
abstract: A variety of neuroendocrine disturbances are observed following treatment with external radiation therapy when the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA) is included in the treatment field. Radiation-induced abnormalities are generally dose dependent and may develop many years after irradiation. Growth hormone deficiency and premature sexual development can occur following doses as low as 18 Gy fractionated radiation and are the most common neuroendocrine problems noted in children. Deficiency of gonadotropins, thyroid stimulating hormone, and adrenocorticotropin are seen primarily in individuals treated with > 40 Gy HPA irradiation. Hyperprolactinemia can be seen following high-dose radiotherapy (> 40 Gy), especially among young women. Most neuroendocrine disturbances that develop as a result of HPA irradiation are treatable; patients at risk require long-term endocrine follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sklar
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Constine
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000172:deficiency; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000172:deficiency; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000172:deficiency; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000172:deficiency; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior / Q000502:physiology; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011836:Radiation Tolerance; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000172:deficiency
chemical_list: D010907:Pituitary Hormones; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013006:Growth Hormone