RESUMEN
Background Head and neck carcinomas are one of the most common malignancies in developing countries including India. Most patients are treated with radiotherapy. Although post-radiotherapy hypothyroidism is a known complication, data regarding its incidence and factors influencing it are scarce. This study aimed to determine the incidence of post-radiotherapy hypothyroidism in head and neck carcinoma patients treated with radiotherapy and the factors influencing it. Methodology Patients with head and neck carcinomas treated with radiotherapy as one of the modalities were included in this study. Thyroid function tests were done, and quality of life questionnaires were completed before treatment and during follow-up. Dose-volume histogram (DVH), demographic data, and disease-related parameters were compared. Results Out of the 95 patients screened, 14 were found to be hypothyroid prior to the commencement of radiotherapy and were excluded. With a median follow-up duration of 34 weeks, 29.6% developed hypothyroidism, with 19% developing it in the first year. On univariate and multivariate analysis of the DVH of the thyroid gland, volume receiving 50 Gy (V50), dose received to 50% volume (D50), and the mean dose (more than 50 Gy) were found to be significantly associated with hypothyroidism. Conclusions Hypothyroidism is a significant comorbid factor in Indian patients with head and neck carcinomas. The incidence of post-radiotherapy hypothyroidism is significant and occurs early compared to the western population leading to significant deterioration in the quality of life. Parameters such as the volume of the thyroid gland, V50, D50, and mean dose to the thyroid gland influence the incidence of hypothyroidism. The use of appropriate constraints can significantly prevent radiotherapy-induced hypothyroidism.
RESUMEN
Background Hepatoblastoma (HB) is a rare neoplasm of the liver, accounting for about 1% of all pediatric cancers. The aim of the present study is to report our experience with HBs over a period of five years from a tertiary center in Eastern India. Methodology This is a retrospective observational study. The data of all patients who were diagnosed with HB between August 2015 and December 2020 was reviewed. Results Twenty-three patients who were diagnosed and treated for HB at our center were included in the study. Sixteen (69.5%) of them were male. The median age of presentation was 14 (range, 3-58) months. An abdominal lump (n=23, 100%) and abdominal pain (n=11, 47.8%) were the most common presenting symptoms. The median level of serum alpha-fetoprotein at the time of initial evaluation was 8000 (878-1,280,000) ng/dL. The mean size of the largest focus in its largest dimension was 12.03±3.77 cm. The epithelial variant (n=22, 95.7%) was the most common histological subtype. One (4.3%), 10 (43.4%), 11 (47.8%), and one (4.3%) patient were found to have pre-treatment extent of tumor (PRETEXT) stages 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Fifteen (65.2%) children were classified as standard risk and seven (34.7%) children as high risk. All the patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). The most commonly performed surgery was right hepatectomy (n=12, 52.1%). There were three (13%) cases of perioperative mortality. Four postoperative complications developed in three (13%) patients. Four (17.3%) patients developed chemotherapy-related complications. The median duration of follow-up was 31 (range, 0-58) months. Three (13%) patients developed relapses of the disease. Overall, five-year survival in our series was 73.9%. Conclusion This study shows that the overall outcomes of HB in a resource-limited setting such as ours are good with the adoption of multi-modality treatment. Managing chemotherapy-induced complications and making liver transplantation more feasible will improve the results further.
