Endocrine Complications Following Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Abstract

Long-term endocrine disorders are the most frequent complications in survivors of adult and paediatric nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The hypothalamic-pituitary (h-p) axis lies within the field of radiation therapy for NPC. Consequently, neuro-endocrine abnormalities due to radiation-induced damage of the h-p occur in the majority of patients followed long term. Similarly, radiation injury to the thyroid gland can result in primary thyroid dysfunction, particularly hypothyroidism as well as benign and malignant thyroid nodule. Chemotherapy-induced gonadal damage is another frequently seen complication in patients treated with chemotherapy.