Context: Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a therapeutic option for numerous haematologic diseases and solid tumours. Increasing indications for HSCT and reduction in associated mortality have been raising the number of paediatric HSCT survivors and their long-term toxicities. Objective: To characterize the endocrine disorders developed after HSCT. Design and Patients: Retrospective analysis of 152 patients submitted to HSCT in paediatric age with at least 24 months of follow-up at our endocrine late-effects clinics. Results: Patients were followed up for 9.9 (interquartile range [IQR]: 12.2) years. The median age at HSCT was 7.5 (IQR: 9) years. At least one endocrine complication was observed in 65.1% of the patients. Primary hypogonadism was detected in 34.2%. Female gender (p < .001), HSCT > 10 years old (p = .01) and chemotherapy before HSCT (p < .001) were identified as risk factors for developing gonadal dysfunction.Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) occurred in 23.0% with a mean stature Z-score at diagnosis of −1.8 ± 1.4. GHD was associated with cranial (p < .001) and HSCT < 10 years old (p ≤ 0.001). Patients who were exposed to total body irradiation (TBI) were at higher risk for primary hypothyroidism (22.3%) (p = .01), thyroid nodules (17.1%) (p < .001), thyroid carcinoma (5.3%) (p < .001), dyslipidaemia (19.1%) (p < .001) and disturbance of carbohydrate metabolism (19.1%) (p < .001).
Conclusion:At least one endocrine complication was diagnosed in 65.1% of patients, with gonadal dysfunction being the most prevalent. The conditioning regimen with TBI was a risk factor for the development of several endocrine disorders. This study is one of the largest series evaluating the endocrine disorders among survivors of paediatric HSCT and intends to reinforce the importance of routine follow-up of these patients.
Introduction
Cancer survivors are at an increased risk of adverse outcomes, including thyroid neoplasms, given the high radiosensitivity of this gland. The aim of this study is to assess the incidence and timeframe of thyroid complications in cancer patients, followed systematically since their radiation therapy, and to identify risk factors for the development of hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer.
Methods
We performed a retrospective study, including 282 subjects, who received neck, craniospinal, or total body irradiation (TBI). Patients were grouped into four primary diagnostic clusters: leukaemia, Hodgkin's disease, central nervous system, and head and neck tumours.
Results
Hypothyroidism was observed in 56.7% of patients, on average 6.8 ± 5.9 years after the treatment. Neck and craniospinal irradiation presented a 3.5‐fold increased risk for the development of hypothyroidism compared to TBI. Papillary thyroid cancer was diagnosed in 8.5% of the patients, on average, 18.5 ± 4.9 years after radiotherapy (RT). Female gender, younger age, and lower irradiation doses were independently associated with thyroid cancer development.
Conclusion
Our study provides useful information about the risk of hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer after RT, as it was performed in a cohort of patients closely followed since the oncological therapies, and, thus, may give new insights into the follow‐up management of these patients.
Background. Mediastinal thyroid carcinoma is extremely rare, with few cases reported in the literature. Case Report. A 73-year-old man presented with weight loss for 6 months. Imaging by computed tomography (CT) documented a large mediastinal mass below the thyroid gland and pulmonary metastases. Neck ultrasound found two spongiform nodules in the right thyroid lobe, and fine-needle aspiration citology (FNAC) of these nodules revealed they are benign. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the mediastinal mass was compatible with papillary thyroid cancer. A few weeks later, the patient developed overt hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ disease, which was treated with antithyroid drugs. 99mPertechnetate scintigraphy showed increased diffuse uptake in the thyroid parenchyma but the absence of uptake in the paratracheal mass and in the lung nodules. The patient was not considered eligible for surgical intervention or therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitor due to tracheal and mediastinal vessel invasion and was treated with palliative radiotherapy. Two months later, restaging PET-FDG showed an intense uptake in the right lobe of the thyroid gland, lymph nodes, lungs, bone, muscle, myocardial, kidney, and adrenal gland. Conclusion. In this case, thyroid carcinoma presented as a mediastinal mass with concurrent hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ disease. Although uncommon, the clinicians should be aware of these situations. Obtaining a prompt histological examination of an intrathoracic mass is crucial to ensure an early diagnosis and treatment.
Introduction: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) are prognostic factors in several tumours, however little is known in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Objective: To evaluate the association between preoperative NLR, PLR and SII with MTC clinicopathological and molecular features, and their predictive value for lymph-node and distant metastasis. Methods: We retrospectively analysed 75 patients with MTC who underwent surgery at our institution. Results: In our cohort, 56% were females, the median age at diagnosis was 57 years (44–69), the median tumour diameter was 25mm (15–50); 21.3% were multifocal and 34.7% had extrathyroidal extension. Fibrosis was present in 30 of the 37 analysed samples; RET somatic status was assessed in 35 cases and 21 harboured a mutation. Lymph-node and distant metastasis were observed in 36 (48.0%) and 8 (10.7%), respectively. Higher NLR was associated with preoperative calcitonin, angioinvasion, extrathyroidal extension, moderate/severe fibrosis; higher PLR was associated to extrathyroidal extension and advanced T stages; lower SII and NLR were associated with biochemical cure after surgery. Increased PLR, NLR and SII were associated with advanced MTC stages. In the univariate analysis, only NLR was associated with lymph-node metastasis (odds ratio (OR) = 2.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.50–5.84; p = 0.004); however, in the multivariate model, NLR was no longer a predictive factor for lymph-node metastasis. Conclusion: None of these serum inflammatory markers predicted the occurrence of distant metastasis. In conclusion, NLR, PLR and SII may indicate aggressive MTC disease, but do not predict lymph-node or distant metastasis.
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