Pituitary and growth disorders of pediatric survivors of head and neck tumors: a single center study

Objective The aim was to explore the prevalence and risk factors for pituitary and growth disorders in pediatric brain and neck tumor survivors. Methods 203 children with brain or neck tumors that survived 2 years after tumors treatment were included. Demographic data, anthropometric assessments, characteristics of the tumors, tumor treatment modalities, and hormonal profile evaluation were reported. Results After a mean follow-up of 4.77 years, 62 (30.54%) survivors were diagnosed with at least one pituitary disorder. Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) was detected in 17.28% of survivors, moreover, thyroid-stimulating hormone deficiency (TSHD), luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone deficiency (LH/FSHD), adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency (ACTHD)/cortisol deficiency and central precocious puberty were detected in 10.4, 9.09, 8.06, and 1.69% of survivors, respectively. The prevalence of short stature and obesity was 9.1% and 17.05%, respectively among survivors who attended follow-up clinics during data collection. The risk of developing pituitary disorders was associated with craniopharyngioma histology (OR, 6.207; 95% CI, 1.025–37.581) and a history of hydrocephalus at cancer diagnosis (OR, 3.075; 95% CI, 1.402–6.746). Older age at the time of radiotherapy was associated with a lower risk of developing pituitary disorders (OR, 0.928; 95% CI, 0.864–0.997). Conclusion This study observed a high prevalence of pituitary disorders among survivors of pediatric brain and neck tumors. So proper screening of pituitary disorders in survivors of brain and neck tumors is warranted.