Hyperprolactinemia in patients with brain radiotherapy

Endocrinopathy is a known consequence of external beam radiotherapy to the brain tumors. The aim of this study was to find out the incidence of hyperprolactinemia in brain tumor patients treated with radiotherapy, when radiation portals included whole hypothalamus and pituitary glands. This descriptive study was conducted from December 2004 to February 2006 on about 42 patients with brain tumors. They were referred to radiation oncology center of Hamadan to be treated with external beam radiotherapy, whose radiation portals included whole hypothalamus and pituitary glands. Serum prolactin levels were measured at the beginning of treatment, and at one month, three months, six months and one year after completion of radiotherapy. Data was introduced using descriptive statistics. Of 42 patients 6 were excluded one because of previous hypothalamus and pituitary radiotherapy, three because of nonadherence to follow up program and two because of previous endocrinopathy Of the patients attending the follow up clinic, 11% were found to have hyperprolactinemia at six months, and 22 at one year. This condition in women and men was 37% and 15% respectively. Abnormality in Prolactine secretion is a late complication of brain radiotherapy and a significant number of patients develop hyperprolactinoma following radiotherapy to the brain (hypothalamus and pituitary region). It seems this complication increases by increasing the radiation dose and is more prevalent in women.