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Risk Factors for Radiation-Induced Hypothyroidism

Purpose: To identify a patient who may be at risk for hypothyroidism following external beam radiation to the neck based on the study of Vogelius et al.

Description

Vogelius et al performed a meta-analysis to identify risk factors for radiation-induced hypothyroidism. These can help to identify a patient who may benefit from closer monitoring of thyroid function. The authors are from the University of Copenhagen and University of Wisconsin.


 

Patient selection: external beam irradiation to the cervical region

 

Factors affecting the risk prediction:

(1) duration and intensity of follow-up

(2) method of detecting hypothyroidism

 

Risk factors for hypothyroidism:

(1) female gender

(2) surgery to thyroid gland

(3) other surgery to the neck

(4) Caucasian race (compared to African American)

(5) higher radiation dose to the neck (high risk if >= 45 Gy)

 

Although not mentioned in the study, pre-existing impaired thyroid function could be an additional risk factor.

 


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Specialty

Objective

ICD-10