Hypothalamic pituitary dysfunction after nasopharyngeal carcinoma irradiation

Radiotherapy (RT) is the corner stone of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treatment but it exposes to late effects especially hypothalamic pituitary deficiency (HPD). In this article,we aimed to assess the impact of RT on pituitary function in NPC survivors.

We included 55 patients treated in the radiation oncology department, of Farhat Hached Hospital in Sousse, Tunisia.

All patients received facio-cervical RT with a mean dose of 73.3 Gy to the nasopharynx. After a mean follow up of 9.56 years, 34 patients (61.8%) presented HPD. Associated peripheral involvement was seen in 18.2%. The most prevalent deficiency was of the GH axis in 50.9% followed by secondary adrenal insufficiency in 20%. Panhypopituitarism was noted in 8.8%. The development of HPD wasn't related to RT dose (OR: 0.41(0.05-2.92), p = 0.36) but was significantly associated with male gender (OR: 1.67 (1.21-2.37), p = 0.01).

HPD post RT is a common phenomenon. Therefore, we recommend regular assessment of pituitary function amongst patients treated with RT for NPC because identification of deficits is crucial to allow early and appropriate hormone replacement therapy in order to improve patients quality of life.