TSH suppression as a possible means of protection against hypothyroidism after irradiation for childhood Hodgkins lymphoma

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2011 Jul 15;57(1):166-8. doi: 10.1002/pbc.22915. Epub 2011 Feb 9.

Abstract

Hypothyroidism remains a common late effect after irradiation of the neck/mediastinum for Hodgkins lymphoma (HL). We evaluated the protective effect of TSH suppression during neck/mediastinum irradiation. From 1998 to 2001, 14 consecutive euthyroid children were given, before and until the end of their radiotherapy on neck/mediastinum, L-thyroxine at TSH-suppressive doses. The 14 patients had adequate TSH suppression during irradiation in 8, inadequate in 6. The 8-year hypothyroidism-free-survival after irradiation was 75 ± 15% for the former group, 0% for the latter (P = 0.009). TSH suppression could have a protective effect on thyroid function as shown in a small group of patients with HL.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Hodgkin Disease / blood
  • Hodgkin Disease / mortality
  • Hodgkin Disease / radiotherapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypothyroidism / blood
  • Hypothyroidism / etiology
  • Hypothyroidism / mortality
  • Hypothyroidism / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects
  • Radiotherapy / methods
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate
  • Thyrotropin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Thyrotropin / blood
  • Thyroxine / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Thyrotropin
  • Thyroxine