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Osteopenia in children surviving brain tumours
R D Barr1, T Simpson, C E Webber
1Children's Hospital at Chedoke-McMaster, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
European Journal of Cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
|November 3, 1998
Summary
Childhood brain tumor survivors often experience osteopenia, a bone density loss, following radiotherapy. This bone condition is linked to increased pain and reduced quality of life, impacting physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Radiotherapy Effects
- Bone Metabolism
Background:
- Osteopenia is a known complication in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, with cranial irradiation implicated.
- Radiotherapy is a standard treatment for childhood brain tumors, raising concerns about its long-term effects on bone health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of bone mineral loss (osteopenia) in childhood brain tumor survivors who received radiotherapy.
- To assess the impact of osteopenia on quality of life, physical activity, and pain in these survivors.
Main Methods:
- Assessed 19 childhood brain tumor survivors, on average 7 years post-treatment.
- Utilized growth velocity measurements, skeletal radiography, bone densitometry (measuring bone mineral density - BMD), and quality of life questionnaires.
- Evaluated growth hormone (GH) deficiency and GH replacement therapy in participants.
Main Results:
- 9 out of 19 children (47%) showed radiographic evidence of osteopenia.
- The majority of children had negative Z scores for BMD, indicating lower bone density than expected.
- Children with osteopenia reported lower health-related quality of life and experienced more frequent pain, which was negatively correlated with physical activity.
Conclusions:
- Osteopenia is a common and significant complication following radiotherapy in childhood brain tumor survivors.
- Osteopenia is associated with increased pain and a diminished quality of life, substantially limiting physical activity in affected children.
- The exact causes of osteopenia in this population are multifactorial and require further investigation.