Gonadal status and reproductive function following treatment for Hodgkin's disease in childhood: The Stanford experience

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(90)90007-7· OSTI ID:6315985

Ortin, T T; Shostak, C A; Donaldson, S S ^[1]

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1. Stanford Univ. Medical Center, CA (USA)

To ascertain the impact of therapy on gonadal function and reproductive outcome among children treated for Hodgkin's disease, we reviewed the experience at Stanford University Medical Center during the years 1965-1986. There were 240 children 15 years of age or younger, 92 girls and 148 boys; with median follow-up of 9 years, maximum follow-up was 26 years. Of this cohort, data on gonadal function were available on 20 boys, 5 of whom were considered prepubescent; they had no clinical evidence of sexual maturation and were less than 13 years of age. Evaluation of the boys included testicular biopsy, semen analyses and the ability to procreate. Serum gonadotropin hormone levels (FSH, LH) were studied in 11 boys who also had semen analyses. Sexual maturation was attained in all boys without the need for androgen replacement. Among the eight boys treated with radiation alone, four were able to father a child (3 following 40-45 Gy pelvic radiation dose, 1 without pelvic radiation) from 3-19 years following treatment. Three others who received 30-44 Gy pelvic radiation were oligospermic when tested at 10 to 15 years post-treatment. Semen analyses in 10 of 12 (83%) boys who had been treated with six cycles of MOPP with or without pelvic radiation revealed absolute azoospermia with no evidence of recovery as along as 11 years of follow-up. Following prolonged azoospermia, 2 of the 12 boys (17%) had recovery of fertility, with normalization of sperm count and/or ability to procreate at 12 and 15 years following treatment. There was no correlation with serum gonadotropin levels and sterility. Data on menstrual history, pregnancy and offspring were available in 86 (92%) of the girls. Seventy-five of the 86 girls (87%) have normal menstrual function. However, none of the females who underwent pelvic radiation without prior oophoropexy has maintained ovarian function.

• OSTI ID: 6315985
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (USA), Vol. 19:4; ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
GONADS
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
HODGKINS DISEASE
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
CHILDREN
FERTILITY
FSH
LH
MENSTRUATION DISORDERS
POST-IRRADIATION EXAMINATION
SPERMATOZOA
AGE GROUPS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
DISEASES
GAMETES
GERM CELLS
GONADOTROPINS
HORMONES
IMMUNE SYSTEM DISEASES
LYMPHOMAS
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PEPTIDE HORMONES
PITUITARY HORMONES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
THERAPY
560151* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man