Effects of radiation on testicular function in long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A report from the Children Cancer Study Group

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Journal of Clinical Oncology; (USA)

OSTI ID:6067853

Sklar, C A; Robison, L L; Nesbit, M E; Sather, H N; Meadows, A T; Ortega, J A; Kim, T H; Hammond, G D ^[1]

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1. New York Univ., NY (USA)

Testicular function was evaluated in 60 long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). All the patients were treated on two consecutive Children Cancer Study Group protocols and received identical chemotherapy and either 18 or 24 Gy radiation therapy (RT) to one of the following fields: craniospinal plus 12 Gy abdominal RT including the gonads (group 1); craniospinal (group 2); or cranial (group 3). The median age at the time of their last evaluation was 14.5 years (range, 10.5 to 25.7), which took place a median of 5.0 years (range, 1 to 10.3) after discontinuing therapy. The incidence of primary germ cell dysfunction as judged by raised levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and/or reduced testicular volume was significantly associated with field of RT; 55% of group 1, 17% of group 2, and 0% of group 3 were abnormal (P = .002). Leydig cell function, as assessed by plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone, and pubertal development, was unaffected in the majority of subjects regardless of RT field. These data indicate that in boys undergoing therapy for ALL, germ cell dysfunction is common following testicular irradiation and can occur following exposure to scattered irradiation from craniospinal RT. In contrast, Leydig cell function appears resistant to direct irradiation with doses as high as 12 Gy.

• OSTI ID: 6067853
• Journal Information: Journal of Clinical Oncology; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Clinical Oncology; (USA) Vol. 8:12; ISSN JCOND; ISSN 0732-183X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ADOLESCENTS
AGE GROUPS
ANDROGENS
ANDROSTANES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
CHILDREN
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
DISEASES
DOSES
FSH
GONADOTROPINS
GONADS
HEMIC DISEASES
HORMONES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
IMMUNE SYSTEM DISEASES
KETONES
LEUKEMIA
LH
MALE GENITALS
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PEPTIDE HORMONES
PITUITARY HORMONES
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
TESTES
TESTOSTERONE
THERAPY