Failure to lactate: a possible late effect of cranial radiation.
We conducted a retrospective review of the lactation experience of female survivors who received 24 Gy cranial radiotherapy as CNS prophylaxis for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood prior to 1982 and who attend the Long-Term Follow-Up Clinic at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, Australia. Median time since diagnosis is 28 years (range 25-37 years). Twelve have produced offspring. Ten report minimal or no breast changes during pregnancy and failure to lactate postpartum. All patients remain in remission. These data suggest a high risk of failure of lactation in women treated during childhood with 24 Gy cranial irradiation. Awareness of this possibility can assist in counseling.
Johnston
Karen
K
Centre for Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia. karen.johnston@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au
Vowels
Marcus
M
Carroll
Susan
S
Neville
Kristen
K
Cohn
Richard
R
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D007775:Lactation Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000532:radiotherapy; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017741:Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D019382:Human Growth Hormone