Growth hormone treatment and risk of recurrence or progression of brain tumors in children: a review.
BACKGROUND
Brain tumors are one of the most common types of solid neoplasm in children. As life expectancy of these patients has increased with new and improved therapies, the morbidities associated with the treatments and the tumor itself have become more important.


CONCLUSIONS
One of the most common morbidities is growth hormone deficiency, and since recombinant growth hormone (GH) became available, its use has increased exponentially. There is concern that in the population of children with brain tumors, GH treatment might increase the risk of tumor recurrence or progression or the appearance of a second neoplasm. In the light of this ongoing concern, the current literature has been reviewed to provide an update on the risk of tumor recurrence, tumor progression, or new intracranial tumor formation when GH is used to treat GH deficiency in children, who have had or have intracranial tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of this review, the authors conclude that the use of GH in patients with brain tumor is safe. GH therapy is not associated with an increased risk of central nervous system tumor progression or recurrence, leukemia (de novo or relapse), or extracranial non-leukemic neoplasms.
Bogarin
Roberto
R
Division of Endocrinology, Costa Rica's Children's Hospital, San José, Costa Rica.
Steinbok
Paul
P
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D018450:Disease Progression; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000172:deficiency; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment
D019382:Human Growth Hormone