A New Model for Predicting Hypothyroidism After Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

To develop a model that can predict the risk of hypothyroidism (HT) after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and to accordingly recommend dose constraints.

NPC patients treated between 2011 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. HT was defined by an abnormally high level of thyrotropin. The dosimetry parameters V_x (percentage of thyroid volume receiving more than x Gy of radiation) and V_a,b (percentage of thyroid volume receiving >a Gy, while ≤b Gy radiation) were calculated. The primary endpoint was the development of HT within the first 2 years after IMRT. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify predictors of HT.

A total of 545 patients were included in the analyses, with a median follow-up of 36 months. Of the 545 patients, 138 developed HT within 2 years, and the 2-year incidence of HT was 25.3%. In patients with thyroid volume >20 cm³, the 2-year incidence of HT was 11.7% (16/137); in patients with thyroid volume ≤20 cm³ and V₃₀,₆₀ ≤ 80%, the 2-year HT incidence was 19.9% (33/166); in patients with thyroid volume ≤20 cm³ and V₃₀,₆₀ > 80%, the 2-year incidence of HT was 36.8% (89/242).

Thyroid volume and V₃₀,₆₀ could be reliable predictors of HT after IMRT for NPC. For patients with thyroid volume ≤20 cm³, thyroid V₃₀,₆₀ ≤ 80% might be a useful dose constraint to adopt during IMRT planning.