[Endocrine sequela of radiation treatment of extracranial head and neck tumors].

A study of the thyroid and hypothalamo-pituitary functions was undertaken in 14 children having been irradiated for tumors of the neck and head. The following anomalies were found: S.T.H. deficiency: 8 cases, A.C.T.H. deficiency: 2 cases, T.S.H. deficiency: 4 cases, primary thyroid insufficiency: 4 cases. Growth was severely impaired since the height of 10 out of 14 patients was less than or equal to 2 S.D. These results emphasize the frequency of endocrine lesions related to radiotherapy, as the lesions were essentially extracranial. They also show a repercussion on growth, which worsen the long-term prognosis of these diseases.