The role of radiotherapy in the management of diabetes insipidus caused by Langerhans cell histiocytosis.
Diabetes insipidus (DI) occurs in 5-50% of patients with a diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). DI is the most common manifestation of central nervous system (CNS) involvement and is due to defects in the function of the posterior pituitary. Radiotherapy is recommended as early as possible after the diagnosis of DI, because response rates increase and the need for pitressin therapy may be obviated. The optimal period for radiotherapy seems to be less than one week. Generally, a total radiotherapy dose of 15-20 Gy or less is preferred. Further prospective studies are strongly needed to compare recurrence rates, late effects, disease course, and survival in treated and untreated groups.
Demiral
A N
AN
Akdeniz University Medical School, Department of Radiation Oncology, Antalya, Turkey. demiral@med.akdeniz.edu.tr