|
1
|
Di Iorgi N, Morana G, Cappa M, D’Incerti L, Garrè ML, Grossi A, Iughetti L, Matarazzo P, Parpagnoli M, Pozzobon G, Salerno M, Sardi I, Wasniewska MG, Zucchini S, Rossi A, Maghnie M. Expert Opinion on the Management of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Brain Tumor Survivors: Results From an Italian Survey. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:920482. [PMID: 35909559 PMCID: PMC9331278 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.920482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is the first and most common endocrine complication in pediatric brain tumor survivors (BTS). GHD can occur due to the presence of the tumor itself, surgery, or cranial radiotherapy (CRT). AIMS This study aimed to evaluate management and adherence to current guidelines of the Italian centers engaged in the diagnosis and follow-up of GHD patients with BTS. METHODS A multidisciplinary scientific board of pediatric endocrinologists, oncologists and radiologists with neuroimaging expertise discussed and reviewed the main issues relating to the management of GHD in pediatric BTS and developed a survey. The survey included questions relating to organizational aspects, risk factors, diagnosis, definition of stable disease, and treatment. The online survey was sent to an expanded panel of specialists dedicated to the care of pediatric BTS, distributed among the three specialty areas and throughout the country (23 Italian cities and 37 Centers). RESULTS The online questionnaire was completed by 86.5% (32 out of 37) of the Centers involved. Most had experience in treating these patients, reporting that they follow more than 50 BTS patients per year. Responses were analyzed descriptively and aggregated by physician specialty. Overall, the results of the survey showed some important controversies in real life adherence to the current guidelines, with discrepancies between endocrinologists and oncologists in the definition of risk factors, diagnostic work-up, decision-making processes and safety. Furthermore, there was no agreement on the neuroimaging definition of stable oncological disease and how to manage growth hormone therapy in patients with residual tumor and GHD. CONCLUSIONS The results of the first Italian national survey on the management of GHD in BTS highlighted the difference in management on some important issues. The time to start and stop rhGH treatment represent areas of major uncertainty. The definition of stable disease remains critical and represents a gap in knowledge that must be addressed within the international guidelines in order to increase height and to improve metabolic and quality of life outcomes in cancer survivors with GHD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natascia Di Iorgi
- Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Endo-European Reference Networks (ERN) Center for Rare Endocrine Conditions, Genova, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Natascia Di Iorgi,
| | - Giovanni Morana
- Department of Neurosciences, Neuroradiology Unit, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Cappa
- Unit of Endocrinology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovico D’Incerti
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Meyer Children’s Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Armando Grossi
- Unit of Endocrine Pathology of Post-Tumoral and Chronic Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Iughetti
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults. University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Patrizia Matarazzo
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Maria Parpagnoli
- Health Sciences Department, Children With Clinical Complex Needs Meyer Children’s Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pozzobon
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita Salute San Raffaele University, Endo-European Reference Networks (ERN) Center for Rare Endocrine Conditions, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariacarolina Salerno
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Iacopo Sardi
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Meyer Children’s Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Zucchini
- Pediatric Endocrine Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Endo-European Reference Networks (ERN) Center for Rare Endocrine Conditions, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Rossi
- Neuroradiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mohamad Maghnie
- Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Endo-European Reference Networks (ERN) Center for Rare Endocrine Conditions, Genova, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|