Radiotherapy-induced hypopituitarism: a review

Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2012 May;12(5):669-83. doi: 10.1586/era.12.27.

Abstract

Hypopituitarism is a disorder caused by impaired hormonal secretions from the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Radiotherapy is the most common cause of iatrogenic hypopituitarism. The hypothalamic-pituitary axis inadvertently gets irradiated in patients receiving prophylactic cranial radiotherapy for leukemia, total body irradiation and radiotherapy for intracranial, base skull, sinonasal and nasopharyngeal tumors. Radiation-induced hypopituitarism (RIH) is insidious, progressive and largely nonreversible. Mostly, RIH involves one hypothalamic-pituitary axis; however, multiple hormonal axes deficiency starts developing at higher doses. Although the clinical effects of the hypopituitarism are more profound in children and young adults, its implications in older adults are being increasingly recognized. The risk continues to persist or increase up to 10 years following radiation exposure. The clinical management of hypopituitarism is challenging both for the patients and healthcare providers. Here we have reviewed the scale of the problem, the risk factors and the management of RIH.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Humans
  • Hypopituitarism / diagnosis
  • Hypopituitarism / etiology*
  • Hypopituitarism / physiopathology
  • Hypopituitarism / prevention & control
  • Pituitary Function Tests
  • Pituitary Gland / radiation effects*
  • Radiosurgery / adverse effects
  • Radiosurgery / trends
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects*
  • Risk Factors
  • Stereotaxic Techniques / adverse effects
  • Stereotaxic Techniques / trends