Endocrine functions in long-term survivors of low-grade supratentorial glioma treated with radiation therapy.

Endocrine functions were studied in long-term survivors of low-grade glioma treated with radiotherapy. Hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction has recently been reported to occur more frequently than generally considered. Because endocrine dysfunction is a treatable condition, careful testing and, if necessary, supplementary treatment may enhance quality of life. Thirteen adult patients treated with radiotherapy because of supratentorial low-grade glioma at least one year before (range 1-11.5 years) were tested. Focal brain radiotherapy (45-61.2 Gy), with calculated dose to the hypothalamic-pituitary area ranging from 0 to 50 Gy (mean 36.1) had been applied to all patients. Serum levels of pituitary hormones, cortisol and thyroid hormone were determined before and after stimulation with hypothalamic hormones. In 10 out of 13 patients one or more hormonal values were out of the normal range. Most disturbances were demonstrated in the pituitary-adrenal axis (8 patients) and the GH-axis (4 patients). None of the patients had clinical symptomatology of adrenal, thyroid or gonadal dysfunction. Careful endocrine testing after cranial radiotherapy may reveal (subclinical) hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction in long-term survivors. Follow-up testing in these patients seems warranted.