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Hypothyroidism in patients treated with radiotherapy for head and neck carcinoma: standardised long-term follow-up study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2016

J R Alba ,
J Basterra ,
J C Ferrer ,
F Santonja  and
E Zapater
J R Alba*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, University General Hospital, Valencia Medical School, Spain
J Basterra
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, University General Hospital, Valencia Medical School, Spain
J C Ferrer
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology, University General Hospital, Valencia Medical School, Spain
F Santonja
Affiliation:
Department of Statistics and Operations Research, University of Valencia, Spain
E Zapater
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, University General Hospital, Valencia Medical School, Spain
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Jose Ramon Alba, Plaza del Reino n°1, Piso 1, Pta 3, Alzira, Valencia 46600, Spain E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

Hypothyroidism is a common complication when radiotherapy is part of the treatment for head and neck tumours. This study aimed to show the incidence of hypothyroidism and possible risk factors in these patients.

Methods:

Factors related to the population, tumour, treatment and occurrence of hypothyroidism were analysed in 241 patients diagnosed with head and neck carcinoma.

Results:

Approximately 53 per cent of patients were diagnosed with radiation-induced hypothyroidism. Its occurrence was related to: tumour location, laryngeal surgery type, neck dissection type, post-operative complications, cervical radiotherapy and radiotherapy unit type (linear particle accelerator or telecobalt therapy technology).

Conclusion:

Control of thyroid function should be standardised for several years after treatment, particularly in patients with risk factors, such as those treated with telecobalt therapy, those with post-operative complications and for whom the thyroid parenchyma is included in the irradiated area (laryngeal or pharyngeal location and bilateral cervical radiation).

Keywords

HypothyroidismRadiation TherapyHead And Neck Cancer
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 130 , Issue 5 , May 2016 , pp. 478 - 481
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2016 

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