Growth hormone deficiency following radiotherapy for orbital and parameningeal sarcomas

Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 1999 Jan-Feb;16(1):23-33. doi: 10.1080/088800199277560.

Abstract

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a recognized late effect of successful treatment of tumors requiring cranial irradiation. Growth after treatment was assessed in 16 patients with sarcomas of the orbital and parameningeal regions. Median age at diagnosis was 6.35 years and median follow-up was 7.2 years. Treatment consisted of combination chemotherapy and radical radiotherapy, conventionally fractionated with a median dose 4500 cGy; the hypothalamic/pituitary region received a median dose of 4163 cGy. Height was measured every 6 months and 13/16 patients underwent tests of GH function. At GH testing median height standard deviation score (SDS) was -0.7, a median decrease of -0.55 since tumor diagnosis. Seven patients were treated with human GH (hGH) at a median of 3.7 years from tumor diagnosis and followed for a median of 2.7 years. Treatment with hGH resulted in a median increase in height SDS of 0.9. Careful surveillance with timely introduction of GH replacement is required for treatment of GHD following treatment of orbital and parameningeal sarcomas.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Body Height / radiation effects
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Dose Fractionation, Radiation
  • Eye Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Eye Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Growth Disorders / drug therapy
  • Growth Disorders / etiology*
  • Human Growth Hormone / deficiency*
  • Human Growth Hormone / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / radiation effects
  • Male
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects*
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma / drug therapy
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma / radiotherapy*
  • Sarcoma / drug therapy
  • Sarcoma / radiotherapy*

Substances

  • Human Growth Hormone