Thyroid Functionsand Thyroid Lesions in Children with Hodgkin Lymphoma and Central Nervous System Tumors Who Received Radiotherapy to the Head and Neck Region

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess thyroid function and lesions after radiotherapy to the head and neck region in children with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) or central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Material and Methods: The study included children diagnosed with HL or CNS tumors who were in complete remission at least one year after completion of chemotherapy (CT) and who had all received radiotherapy (RT) to the head and/or neck. All patients were requested to undergo thyroid function tests and thyroid ultrasonography (USG). Results: A total of 37 patients were included. The mean age was 13.7±3.8 years. The mean follow-up time was 5.09±2.5 years. All patients had CT and RT. Seven (18.9%) patients had subclinical hypothyroidism, and 7 (18.9%) had thyroid USG abnormalities. None of the patients had thyroid malignancy. Age under 10 years at diagnosis, follow-up time of 3 years or more, and an RT dose of 25 Gy or more were found as effective factors for subclinical hypothyroidism development. Only an RT dose of 25 Gy or more was found to be related to thyroid USG abnormalities. Conclusion: Thyroid function tests and thyroid imaging should be routinely examined in any patient who has been treated for cancer to evaluate thyroid dysfunction regardless of clinical findings and the follow-up of these patients should be lifelong.