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Leydig-cell function in children after direct testicular irradiation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Journal Article · · N.Engl. J. Med.; (United States)
; ; ; ;

To assess the effect of testicular irradiation on testicular endocrine function, we studied 12 boys with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who had been treated with direct testicular irradiation 10 months to 8 1/2 years earlier. Insufficient Leydig-cell function, manifested by a low response of plasma testosterone to chorionic gonadotropin or an increased basal level of plasma luteinizing hormone (or both), was observed in 10 patients, 7 of whom were pubertal. Two of these patients had a compensated testicular endocrine insufficiency with only high plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone. Testosterone secretion was severely impaired in three pubertal boys studied more than four years after testicular irradiation. A diminished testicular volume indicating tubular atrophy was found in all pubertal patients, including three who had not received cyclophosphamide or cytarabine. These data indicate that testosterone insufficiency is a frequent complication of testicular irradiation, although some patients continue to have Leydig-cell activity for several years after therapy.

Research Organization:
Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Hopital des Enfants-Malades, Paris, France
OSTI ID:
7004537
Journal Information:
N.Engl. J. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: N.Engl. J. Med.; (United States) Vol. 309:1; ISSN NEJMA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

550603 -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGE GROUPS
ANDROGENS
ANDROSTANES
ATROPHY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
CHILDREN
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
DISEASES
GONADOTROPINS
GONADS
HCG
HEMIC DISEASES
HORMONES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KETONES
LEUKEMIA
LH
MALE GENITALS
MALES
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PEPTIDE HORMONES
PITUITARY HORMONES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
TESTES
TESTOSTERONE
THERAPY