Hypothyroidism in Head-and-Neck Carcinoma Patients After Radiation

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the incidence of clinical hypothyroidism in patients undergoing radiation therapy for head-and-neck carcinomas. Methods: One hundred and fifty patients with head-and-neck cancers visiting the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and head-and-neck surgery and undergoing treatment after histological confirmation at the Department of ENT and Radiation Oncology at Sardar Patel Medical College, Bikaner, Rajasthan, from January 2022 to January 2023 were taken up for the study. Tumor response and symptom relief were monitored at the completion of treatment, at 3 months, and at 6 months. Results: Mean age of 51.42±12.24 years (21–78 years), 59.33% were males, and 63.34% of the study population was residing in rural areas. About 30.67% were in the oral cavity followed by 28.67% and 28.5 in the larynx and nasopharynx, respectively. Mean FT4 was 1.35±0.40 before radiotherapy and decreased to 1.20±0.43 after 3 months and 1.12±0.40 after 6 months of radiotherapy (p<0.0001*). Mean thyroid stimulating hormone was 2.14±2.50 before radiotherapy and increased to 3.55±4.5 after 3 months and 4.1±6.8 after 6 months of radiotherapy (p<0.0001*). At 3-month follow-up, 8% had clinical hypothyroid, at 6-month follow-up, 18% had clinical thyroid (p<0.05). Conclusion: Thyroid hormone monitoring following radiotherapy for head-and-neck cancers should incorporate part of follow-up of these patients, especially those patients who receive chemotherapy with radiotherapy.