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Title: Testosterone Production is Better Preserved After 16 than 20 Gray Irradiation Treatment Against Testicular Carcinoma In Situ Cells

Journal Article · · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [2];  [1]
  1. University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen (Denmark)
  2. University Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen (Denmark)

Purpose: To study the effect of 16 Gy radiotherapy (RT) vs. 20 Gy RT on Leydig cell function in men treated with radiotherapy against carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the testis. Methods and Materials: Fifty-one men who were treated between 1985 and 2005 were included. Fourteen men had been treated with 20 Gy and 37 with 16 Gy RT. Measurements of sex hormone-binding globulin and basic and stimulated testosterone, as well as luteinizing hormone levels were performed. Results: The follow-up periods for the patients treated without additional chemotherapy were for the 20 Gy and 16 Gy group mean/median/min-max: 9.0/10.0/1.0-20.3 years and 4.0/3.1/0.4-14.1 years, respectively. During the follow-up period, men treated with 16 Gy RT had stable testosterone levels (-1.1%/year, p = 0.4), whereas men treated with 20 Gy had an annual decrease of 2.4% (p = 0.008). For the latter group, the testosterone decrease was most pronounced in the first 5 years, leveling off during the following 5 years. Additionally, more men treated with 20 Gy needed androgen substitution treatment. Our study showed an increased luteinizing hormone level for the men treated with 16 Gy, although this was not significant (p = 0.5). We anticipated a similar increase in the patients treated with 20 Gy but instead observed a decrease (-3.1%, p = 0.01). Conclusion: RT at 16 and 20 Gy seem to affect Leydig cell function differently, with 16 Gy RT better preserving testosterone levels and thus being preferred from an endocrinological point of view.

OSTI ID:
21362199
Journal Information:
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 75, Issue 3; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2008.11.057; PII: S0360-3016(08)03829-7; Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; ISSN 0360-3016
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English