THYROID FUNCTION IN MALIGNANT PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AFTER RADIOTHERAPY

Introduction. Malignancy is seen in pediatrics, frequently. Radiotherapy as a common procedure in malignancy management may has many side effects and complications, especially about endocrine system. In this study, we evaluate the incidence of post radiotherapy hypothyroidism In malignant pediatric patients.
 Methods. In a cross sectional study one hundred and eighty children between 1 to 20 years old that survived of malignancy were selected. They have been treated in Sayyed-Alshohada hospital (affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences) from 1993 Sep. until 1998 Sep. by radiotherapy.
 Baseline characteristics (e.g. sex, age, dose, location and number of radiotherapy fraction, type of malignancy) were derived from medical records. Subjects were invited by letters to evaluate their thyroid functions in 1999. Serum T4 and FT4 concentrations assayed by RIA and TSH by IRMA methods.
 Results. The incidence of hypothyroidism was 13.3 percent (1.2 percent secondary hypothyroidism and 12.1 percent primary hypothyroidism). There was no statistical difference in age and sex distribution between patients with or without hypothyroidism. History of cervical region radiotherapy was taken in 45.8 percent of hypothyroid patients. There was no significant difference in dose and number of radiotherapy fraction between hypothyroid and euthyroid patients.
 Discussion. Radiotherapy may have a role in developing hypothyroidism in patients who received radiotherapy. This role has no relation to age and sex, dose and number of radiation fraction in development of hypothyroidism. Region of radiotherapy is important. It is suggested that this study continues and data will be collected during several years in future. Of course, many of hypothyroid patients will become euthyroid spontaneously

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CANCERS IN ISFAHAN PROVINCE: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY (1981-1996)

Introduction. Malignancies occur word wide with variety of patterns depending on an individual's environmental situation and life style. Having data about the distribution and incidence of different malignancies is necessary for the formulation of an effective prevention plan for any specific area. Methods. In the central part of Iran (Isfahan Province) a retrospective study was designed to describe cancers' epidemiologic factors by collecting patients' data from the Isfahan Oncology center for the period of 1981-1996.
 Results. The frequency of malignancies was as follows: Skin cancers 5111 cases with a frequency of 20.9 percent (62.9 percent males and 37.3 percent females). Leukemia 3108 cases with a frequency of 12.7 percent (59.9 percent males and 40.1 percent females). Breast cancer 2796 cases with a frequency of 11.4 percent (6.5 percent males and 93.7 percent females). cancers of the digestive system 2017 cases (60.5 percent males and 39.5 percent females). Non Hodgekin lymphoma 1953 cases with relative frequency of 8 percent (66.9 percent male and 33.1 percent females). cancers of the urinary system 1567 cases with a frequency 7.6 percent (82.5 males and 17.5 females). Head and neck cancers 1545 cases (6.3 percent). Cancer of the reproductive system 1313 cases with a frequency of 5.37 percent. Tumors of the central nervous system 1276 cases with a frequency of 5.22 percent. Lung cancers 933 cases with a frequency of 3.7 percent (80.7 percent males and 19.3 percent females). Hodgekins 913 cases with a frequency of 3.7 percent. Sarcoma of the soft tissue 801 cases (3.28 percent) and bone tissue 657 cases (2.7 percent). Endocrine malignancies 422 cases and 1.73 percent of all was at the bottom of categories during the period of study.
 Discussion. In the present study, the prevalence of acute leukemia and also lymphatic and hodgekine malignancies were more frequent than the world wide data presented in the literature. The frequency of lung tumors, however, was less than in the developed countries