[Endocrinologic after-care of brain tumor patients: initial retrospective analysis of HIT-study documented auxologic and endocrine parameters].
BACKGROUND
In 1987, a pilot trial (HIT 88/89) was initiated by GPOH to investigate the effectivity and toxicity of intense preradiation chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to improve the treatment of children with malignant brain tumors, but provided no standardized recording of auxological and/or endocrinological parameters. In 1993 a sub-project, "Endocrinological late effects", was started during the ongoing study to examine the late effects of treatment, and a retrospective evaluation was performed in order to standardize parameters.


METHODS
We considered auxological and hormonal data from those patients (n = 133; 78 m, 55 f) who were alive at the time of the survey, and had completed tumor therapy.


RESULTS
Analysis of the growth pattern of the children after the end of therapy indicate impaired growth. Group 1 (n = 77, CA < 10 yrs): Mean height SDS at tumor diagnosis was +0.32 (n = 77), and fell constantly after completion of therapy to -0.75 (n = 16) after 3-4.5 yrs. Group 2 (n = 56, CA > 10 yr): Height SDS-CA fell from +0.24 (n = 45) at the time of diagnosis to -0.62 (n = 14) after 3-4.5 yrs. Unfortunately, only body height and weight were recorded regularly, data on sitting height, pubertal stage and bone age were incomplete. Endocrine evaluation after end of therapy was insufficient.


CONCLUSIONS
A standardization of endocrinological follow up is necessary as soon as possible, for an adequate description of the endocrinological late effects.
Dŏrr
H G
HG
Klinik mit Poliklinik für Kinder und Jugendliche, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg.
Koch
A
A
Kühl
J
J
Müller
H L
HL
Beck
J D
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011627:Puberty / Q000187:drug effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006728:Hormones