HYPOTHYROIDISM AND XEROSTOMIA AFTER HEAD AND NECK CANCER RADIATION THERAPY: CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Authors: Letiţia LEUŞTEAN, Delia BAHRIM, Laura TEODORIU, Maria Christina UNGUREANU, Mihai RUSU, Cornelia URSU, Carmen STADOLEANU

Abstract:

Radiation therapy is a common treatment modality for patients with head and neck cancer, causing many oral and thyroid complications. The present study reports two cases of hypothyroidism and xerostomia after head and neck cancer radiation therapy. Case 1. A 62 year-old male patient with medical history of neck irradiation for Hodgkin’s lymphoma with severe hypothyroidism and xerostomia, 10 years after external radiation. Case 2. A 34 year-old male patient with medical history of neck irradiation for hypopharynx carcinoma with subclinical hypothyroidism and xerostomia, 10 years after external irradiation. We propose a multidisciplinary health care team (oncologist, radiotherapist, endocrinologist and dentist) to prevent and manage any complication of radiation therapy. Early diagnosis and correct treatment will improve the quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer radiation therapy

Keywords:
  • head
  • hypothyroidism
  • neck
  • radiation
  • xerostomia.