title: Pilot study on sex hormone levels and fertility in women with malignant gliomas.
abstract: The standard treatment of patients with high-grade gliomas based on conformal radiation therapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy (CT) may induce endocrine deficiencies of pituitary and subsequently also of peripheral hormones. In 24 premenopausal women with high-grade gliomas treated with RT and CT, hormonal changes and their impact on quality of life were investigated. Serum concentrations of gonadal, pituitary and of thyroid hormones were measured at various time points after initial anti-neoplastic therapy. Additionally, endovaginal ultrasound was performed and patients' quality of life (QLQ) and female role functioning were assessed. Of 24 patients, 23 (96%) reported a change in their menstrual pattern. Twenty-one patients reported at least transient amenorrhoea with a mean duration of 26.1 months (3-96 months). Increased prolactin serum levels were found in 10 women, 8 of them with amenorrhoea. Thirteen women showed menopausal or perimenopausal hormone pattern, 3 a pattern compatible with hypogonadism. Changes in thyroid hormone levels were seen in 8 patients. Furthermore, patients complained about fatigue and menopausal symptoms, like flushes, weakness and gain of weight. They felt a decrease of libido combined with the loss of attractiveness as a female, and an increased need for tender care and security. The hormonal deficiencies in female patients with malignant gliomas require thorough evaluation and individualized diagnosis and sometimes intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine I, Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Preusser
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seywald
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Elandt
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kurz
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rottenfusser
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dieckmann
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Altorjai
authors.forename: Christoph C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Zielinski
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marosi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005910:Glioma / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones
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