Endocrinologic Consequences of Pediatric Posterior Fossa Tumours

Abstract

Intracranial tumors are the second most frequent malignancies in children and posterior fossa is a common location for these neoplasias during childhood. Recent advances in surgical techniques, radiotherapy and chemotherapy resulted in dramatic increase in the survival rates of these children, however they are still source of a significant morbidity and mortality. Endocrinological complications and late sequelae of childhood posterior fossa tumours are common among the survivors of these tumours and include growth retardation, hypothyroidism, pubertal disorders, gonadal dysfunction and osteopenia. These complications have significant impact on the quality of life of the survivors of childhood posterior fossa tumours. In this paper, the frequency, etiology, and management of these complications will be reviewed.

Social skills interventions for survivors of pediatric brain tumors: A review and reformulation

“…The diagnosis and treatment of a brain tumor in childhood is often associated with significant medical and psychological late effects, such as endocrinopathies, neurocognitive deficits, and social problems . Although substantial research has focused on describing and treating medical and neurocognitive concerns, understanding of and intervention for social issues lag behind.…”

Post-Treatment Thyroid Diseases in Children with Brain Tumors: A Single-Center Experience at “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuță” Institute of Oncology, Cluj-Napoca

“…Some authors report a high prevalence of iatrogenic hypothyroidism in children who have had brain radiation to the posterior fossa [10]. In this study, 6 out of the 11 patients diagnosed with thyroid hormone deficiency had posterior fossa tumors.…”

AsiDNA Is a Radiosensitizer with no Added Toxicity in Medulloblastoma Pediatric Models

“…Growth problems and impaired growth hormone (GH) production are common side effects in childhood cancer survivors who have received large volumes of radiation (10). Animals receiving 20 Gy presented approximately 20% lower average weights (Figure 2C) and significantly shorter femur length (p=0.02, Figure 2D) compared to non-irradiated animals.…”

“…Notwithstanding, CSI is accountable for the widespread adverse effects in MB patients (7,8). MB survivors often experience irreversible and disabling adverse effects in their psychological, endocrine and neurocognitive functioning (9)(10)(11)(12). Despite aggressive and highly toxic regimens, current protocols still fail to treat high-risk subsets of the disease.…”