Thyroid Hormone Levels in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Radiochemotherapy: A Retrospective Study
Introduction: Head and Neck Cancers (HNCs) are a common type of cancer, affecting approximately 6% of the global cancer burden. The treatment of HNC often involves Radiochemotherapy (RCT), which can have adverse effects on the thyroid gland. The present study investigates how RCT impacts thyroid fun...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/21162/74393_CE[Ra1]_F(KR)_PF1(VD_OM)_redo_PFA(IS)_PB(VD_IS)_PN(IS).pdf |
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| Summary: | Introduction: Head and Neck Cancers (HNCs) are a common type of cancer, affecting approximately 6% of the global cancer burden. The treatment of HNC often involves Radiochemotherapy (RCT), which can have adverse effects on the thyroid gland. The present study investigates how RCT impacts thyroid function in patients with HNC.
Aim: To determine the effect of RCT on Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, (TSH) triiodothyronine and thyroxine.
Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted in Department of Biochemistry at Medical College and SSG hospital, Baroda, Gujarat, India. Data of patients were collected from radiology department from period of January 2016 to April 2017. Patients who were initially euthyroid were included in present study (N=59). Thyroid levels were tested by immunoassay. Mean and standard deviation were calculated and statistical analysis was done using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test.
Results: The mean±Standard Deviation (SD) of various thyroid function levels before and after 1, 3, and 6 months of RCT were; serum T3=1.2±0.4, 1.6±0.5, 1.3±0.6 and 0.7±0.4 ng/mL, respectively, serum T4=9±2, 11±3, 8±2 and 5±1 μg/dL respectively and serum TSH=2.4±1.5, 1.9±1.5, 4.4±1.1 and 6.9±1.7 mIU/mL respectively. Serum T3 and serum T4 increased significantly after one month (p=0.008 and 0.004) and decreased significantly after six months of treatment (p=0.0001) whereas, serum TSH increased significantly after three months (p=0.015) of treatment.
Conclusion: It was concluded that treatment of HNC with RCT may affect thyroid functions. There is a tendency to develop hyperthyroidism initially after one month of RCT, but later on, Hypothyroidism (HT) develops. So, it is advisable to test the thyroid profile on regular follow-up to enable early diagnosis and treatment of any thyroid malfunction that can develop after RCT. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |