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Topics:
Head and Neck Cancers • Radiation Oncology
Do you routinely screen for pituitary dysfunction after radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal cancer?
Studies have shown increased rate of endocrine dysfunction in these patients:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26011172
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3146793/
What tests and time frame do you use or is it more appropriate to refer to endocrinology?
Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Academic Institution
I don’t, only if symptoms
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Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Community Practice
The articles you are quoting include patient series that were treated decades ago.
Nowadays we have a) a better knowledge of what dose is delivered in the pituitary gland b) a better knowledge of the dose-effect relationship to the pituitary function c) better ways to spare out organs at risk.
Dep...
Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Academic Institution
I don't routinely screen, but I have sent some patients (especially if younger) to an Endocrinologist for an evaluation. I agree with @Alexandros Papachristofilou and typically only recommend this for patients with larger tumors infiltrating the skull base near the pituitary.