The incidence of hypothyroidism in patients of head and neck carcinoma treated with radiotherapy and added risk of hypothyroidism with the addition of chemotherapy

Abstract

Abstract Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the most common malignancy in the Indian males. Most of the cases of HNC present in locally advanced stage and requires a multidisciplinary management approach. Radical or adjuvant external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is one of the important integral components of the management of HNC. Aim: To find the incidence of hypothyroidism (HT) in patients of HNC treated with radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy. Methods: A prospective, single institutional longitudinal observational study conducted at the department of radiotherapy, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata. Results: In this study, data of 118 patients were analysed. The median age at presentation was 56 years. The most common primary site of malignancy was oral cavity (39%). The patients were stage I, stage II and stage III as 11, 37·3 and 51·7% respectively. The median dose of EBRT was 66 Gy. HT statistically significantly correlated with primary site of malignancy (p = 0·001), dose of EBRT (p = 0·005). At the end of follow-up of 6 months, 39·8% developed HT. Conclusion: The thyroid gland is an important organ at risk while considering EBRT to neck region. The inclusion of thyroid function test in routine follow-up is mandated.