Endocrine complications of neoplastic diseases in children and adolescents.

Abstract

Because of the increasing population of childhood cancer survivors, there is a need to focus on the late effects of cancer therapy. After discharge by their pediatric oncologists, it is essential that patients are not lost to the health system but rather are under continued surveillance with access to the appropriate physicians. Endocrine and metabolic consequences may impact the life of the patient both soon after cancer treatment and for many years in the future. The purpose of this article is to explore the current literature in the following areas: growth hormone (GH) deficiency, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues with GH therapy in childhood, safety of GH replacement, cardiovascular risk factors, osteopenia, thyroid problems, and gonadal damage resulting in infertility.