Kids' Brain Tumor Rx Tied to Later Health Troubles NEW YORK Jan 15, 2003 (Reuters Health) - Children who survive brain tumors may face a heightened risk of certain hormonal or cardiovascular problems years after cancer treatment, according to new study findings. Still, researchers stress that many survivors of childhood brain tumors do not develop these conditions, particularly if their cancer treatment involved surgery alone. They also point out that the long-range medical problems they found in some survivors--such as growth hormone deficiency, blood clots and osteoporosis--are either treatable or preventable. The findings, reported in the February 1st issue of the journal Cancer, are based on more than 1,600 individuals treated for childhood brain cancer in the US during the 1970s and 1980s. Dr. James G. Gurney, of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, led the study. Overall, the researchers found, 18% reported developing one hormone-related condition, while smaller percentages reported multiple hormonal problems. One fifth developed growth hormone deficiency, a condition that can be treated with replacement hormones. In addition, brain cancer survivors were more likely than their siblings to develop an underactive thyroid or the brittle-bone disease osteoporosis, a problem related to estrogen deficiency. And of the 533 female cancer survivors who were 16 or older, about 6% said they had never had a menstrual period, compared with 0.3% of similarly aged siblings. More than one quarter of female cancer survivors reported taking hormones in order to have their periods. Cardiovascular problems were also more common among cancer survivors than siblings. Serious conditions, although infrequent, included stroke, chest pain and blood clots. For reasons that are unclear, the risks of both hormonal and cardiovascular problems were related to cancer treatment with chemotherapy and radiation. In fact, the study authors report, long-range hormonal conditions were "quite rare" among study participants who received only surgery. In addition, stroke and blood clots occurring five or more years after cancer diagnosis were three times more common when cancer treatment involved surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, compared with radiation and surgery alone. However, Gurney's team stresses, these complications--regardless of cancer treatment--were uncommon. They advise that survivors of childhood brain cancer be monitored for these potential problems for the long haul, since they can arise years after cancer treatment. Moreover, they point out, both treatment and prevention of these long-range conditions is possible. The risk of cardiovascular problems, for example, can be cut with careful diet and exercise, and by not smoking. SOURCE: Cancer 2003;97:663-673. cancerpage.com Br J Cancer, 12/03 JCO, 2/04 J Clin Onc, 2/04 Impact of Cancer Thrpy Endocrine System:Childhood Brain Tumors Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 5/04 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.