ESPE Abstracts

Background: Approximately 20–50% of children rescued from malignancy will develop at least one endocrine disorder into adulthood. With regard to the role of endocrine disorders on the quality of life in children rescued from malignancy, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of endocrine complications in survivors of childhood cancer.

Method: A cross sectional study was done on 72 survivors of childhood cancer patients 2–18 years- old, all recruities were under follow up in pediatric oncology clinic of Tabriz children’s hospital during last ten years. Age, sex, type and site of malignancy and medications were recorded. After clinical examination, Blood samples were sent to the reference laboratory for the study of endocrine function. Brain MRI, bone age, ultrasound of the gonads, bone mineral density, GH stimulation test and glucose tolerance test were done on a case by case basis.

Results: The mean age of patients, at the time of the study and diagnosis of malignancy were 11.43±3.39 and 3.2±1.34 years, respectively. 77.8% male and 22.2% were female. The most common malignancy was ALL (55.6%). 88.9% of patients received vincristine. 7/27 percent of the cancer survivors had at least one endocrine disorders; 8.3% had hypothyroidism, 2.7% had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and 16.7% had impaired fasting glucose tolerance.

Conclusion: Children rescued from cancer are at high risk for endocrine disorders, especially thyroid and gonadal dysfunction and impaired glucose metabolism. With early diagnosis and treatment can reduce mortality rate in vulnerable individuals.