Thyroid effects and anticancer treatment

Thyroid consequences of cancer therapy are multiple, better known after radiotherapy than after chemotherapy and recently described with targeted therapies. Cervical or total body irradiation may result in thyroid insufficiency or cancer. The consequences of treatment with new antiangiogenic drugs are under evaluation; however their effect on thyroid function is already well established. Thyroid dysfunction usually occurs late, several months or years after treatment and have to be depicted. There is an improvement in the overall survival of patients suffering from cancer and endocrinologists must be aware of the endocrine effects of treatments to propose an adequate survey and an appropriate treatment to improve well-being of patients.