[Endocrine disorders in children after treatment for brain tumors]

Endocrine dysfunction is one of the most common late effect of anticancer treatment. The kind and degree of the disorder depend on tumor location, therapy, especially on the dose of radiotherapy, different sensitivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary axes to irradiation, as well as on the time of treatment. The growth hormone secretion axis is the most vulnerable part, and growth disorders occure most frequently (after a total dose of >30 Gy); then, after a total dose of 50-60 Gy: gonadotropin, ACTH deficiency, and, rarely, TSH deficiency. Spinal irradiation leads to the height loss and disproportionate growth as well as dysfunction of gonads and thyroid gland. Chemotherapy (alkylating agents) deteriorates gonadal function. The recognition, good and early diagnosis and therapy are important to improve the quality of life of the survivors.