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Leukemia in a patient treated with growth hormone
M Aktan1, R Tanakol, M Nalçaci
1Division of Hematology, Istanbul Medical School, University of Istanbul, Capa, Turkey.
Endocrine Journal
|November 15, 2000
Summary
Growth hormone (GH) therapy may increase leukemia risk. A 25-year-old patient developed acute myelogenous leukemia after 4 months of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment for hypopituitarism.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Hematology
Background:
- Growth hormone (GH) therapy is a recognized treatment for various endocrine disorders, including hypopituitarism.
- Previous research suggests a potential association between GH therapy and an increased risk of malignant tumors, particularly leukemia.
Observation:
- A case study involving a 25-year-old patient with hypopituitarism who initiated recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy.
- The patient received thrice-weekly injections of rhGH for four months.
Findings:
- Following rhGH therapy, the patient was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).
- Despite the temporal relationship, definitive evidence establishing a causal link between rhGH treatment and AML development in this case was considered inconclusive.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of monitoring for hematological malignancies in patients undergoing GH therapy.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the potential oncogenic mechanisms of GH and its role in leukemia development.
- Clinical vigilance is crucial when considering GH therapy in patients with pre-existing risk factors for malignancy.