Angela Mastronuzzi, Head of Neuro-Oncology Unit at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital and President of AIEOP, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Long-Term Thyroid Toxicity Burden in Children Who Received Treatment for High-Risk Neuroblastoma’ just published in the journal Thyroid – Sage.
- Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most prevalent extracranial solid tumor in children, accounting for approximately 6% of all pediatric cancers and around 15% of cancer-related deaths in childhood.
- The treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma (HRNB) remains a major challenge in pediatric oncology.
- Most long-term survivors experience one or more late effects, with endocrine complications being among the most frequent.
In this study, we present a retrospective analysis of 45 HRNB survivors treated at a single pediatric center, each with a minimum of 5 years of follow-up, to evaluate the incidence and risk factors associated with long-term thyroid toxicity.
Conclusion:
Primary hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid complication in HRNB survivors, with more than half of patients affected and overt hypothyroidism present in approximately 25%. While thyroid block during diagnostic 123I-MIBG imaging appears effective, molecular radiotherapy, Busulfan, and tandem MAT are significant risk factors for long-term thyroid damage.
The influence of anti-GD2 immunotherapy on thyroid function remains to be fully elucidated but appears to be associated with earlier onset of dysfunction.
Given the progressive nature of thyroid damage, long-term surveillance is critical. Annual thyroid function testing – including autoantibodies and periodic thyroid ultrasound (every 12-18 months) – should continue even after transition to adult care.
Future cooperative studies with larger, more homogeneous cohorts and longer follow-up are needed to validate these findings.”
Title: Long-Term Thyroid Toxicity Burden in Children Who Received Treatment for High-Risk Neuroblastoma
Authors: Annalisa Deodati, Francesco Fabozzi, Giulia Mirra, Maria Giuseppina Cefalo, Francesca Del Bufalo, Federica D’Antonio, Armando Grossi, Valentina Pampanini, Milena Pizzoferro, Annalisa Serra, Graziamaria Ubertini, Angela Mastronuzzi, Stefano Cianfarani, Franco Locatelli, and Maria Antonietta De Ioris
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