Medulloblastoma in Nordic Children. III Long Term Growth and Endocrine Sequelae

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Growth and endocrine status of 38 Nordic children surviving from medulloblastoma were reevaluated 5–15 years after the diagnosis. Group I included children treated before the age of 10, and group II were the patients > 10 years at onset of tumour therapy. The median time interval from diagnosis to reexamination was 9 and 7 8/12 years in groups I and II (p>0.1). The trunchal and standing height were highly affected at the follow‐up. The median standing height standard deviation score (SDS) was ‐2.0 in group I and ‐ 1.7 in group II. The corresponding median sitting height SDS was ‐2.5 in group I and +2.0 in group II. Growth hormone deficiency was found in 23 % of the patients, and only in group I. In both groups 69 96 had increased serum TSH concentrations (median 6.5 mU/I, range 1.3–30 mU/I) in spite of normal free T4 and total T3 levels. Hypogonadism and ACTH deficiency were rarely seen. Conclusion: In patients treated for medulloblastoma, particularly when treated in early childhood, pronounced alterations appear in growth and endocrine systems. In the general clinical control of these patients anthropometric and endocrinological tests have to be included.