Pediatr. praxi. 2008;9(1):19-24
Hormonal deficits and onCology patient
- Pediatrická klinika 2. LF UK a FN Motol, Praha
The tumours in childhood are relatively rare, the published incidence in Europe in children under 14 years of age is 14.8 per 100 000 children. In the seventies, the therapeutic efficacy was around 25%, in nineties it reached in average 70%. With improvement of survival of oncology patients a number of complications occur later during life, including hormonal deficits, that develop even dozens of years after successfully accomplished treatment. The key role during their occurrence belongs mainly to radiotherapy (total dose, locations of radiation), to a lesser extent to chemotherapy that influences the gonadal region. In brain tumours the hormonal treatment is frequently complex, in patients without a residual tumour a growth hormone may be used without worries and not only in childhood, but also in serious deficiencies of growth hormone even in adulthood because of its positive metabolic effect. An early diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders lead to improvement of quality of life and helps to bring patients back to normal life.
Keywords: hormonal deficits in oncology patients, radiotherapy, chemotherapy
Published: April 1, 2008 Show citation
