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Shrinkage of thyroid volume in sunitinib-treated patients with renal-cell carcinoma: a potential marker of

Aljosja Rogiers1, Pascal Wolter, Katya Op de Beeck

  • 1Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium.

Thyroid : Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association
|February 11, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Sunitinib treatment can cause thyroid dysfunction and shrinkage, especially in patients with a nodular thyroid. This may lead to permanent thyroid hormone replacement therapy, even after stopping the cancer drug.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is used for advanced renal-cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
  • It is known to cause thyroid dysfunction in a significant number of patients.
  • While often reversible, some cases result in irreversible thyroid damage requiring long-term hormone therapy.

Observation:

  • This study reports on two cancer patients with pre-existing nodular thyroid glands.
  • These patients experienced thyroid dysfunction and significant thyroid shrinkage during sunitinib treatment.
  • Thyroid hormone replacement was necessary even after discontinuing sunitinib.

Findings:

  • Sunitinib treatment can induce substantial thyroid volume decrease in patients with nodular thyroid glands.
  • This shrinkage is associated with abnormal thyroid function tests and clinical hypothyroidism.
  • The precise mechanism behind sunitinib-induced thyroid shrinkage is not yet fully understood.

Implications:

  • Sunitinib can cause irreversible thyroid damage, particularly in patients with nodular thyroids.
  • Morphological changes in the thyroid gland may serve as a marker for this organ damage.
  • Clinicians should monitor thyroid function closely in patients receiving sunitinib, especially those with pre-existing thyroid nodules.

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