Under-recognized toxicities of cranial irradiation

Sleep disorders associated with cranial radiation-A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Radiation is the standard-of-care treatment for primary brain tumors (PBTs) but may have profound effects on sleep that have not yet been fully characterized. This systematic review aims to further our understanding of radiation therapy on the risk of development of sleep disorders in patients with PBTs, as well as potential opportunities for prevention and treatment.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was performed (last Jan 2024) with predefined inclusion (PBT patients, radiation therapy, somnolence/circadian disruption) and exclusion (reviews/abstracts/cases/chapters, non-PBT cancer, lack of radiation) criteria, yielding 267 papers initially and 38 studies included. Data extraction and analysis (descriptive statistics, individual study summary) focused on the incidence of sleep disturbances, radiation types/doses, and pharmacologic interventions. Risk of bias assessment was conducted with the Effective Public Health Practice Project's Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies.

RESULTS

The included 38 studies (n = 2948 patients) demonstrated a high incidence of sleep disturbances in patients with PBTs throughout radiation therapy, but primarily from the end of radiation to 6 months after. Sleep symptoms were associated with radiation (dose-dependent), and pharmacotherapies were helpful in patients with formal sleep disorder diagnoses. Terminology and incidence reporting of sleep symptoms are inconsistent, and many studies had a high risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review highlights the ongoing challenges with sleep symptoms/disorders related to cranial irradiation treatment in the primary brain tumor population. Further investigations on the interconnectedness of sleep disturbance constructs and possible pharmacotherapies to alleviate symptoms are warranted.

Taste and Smell Alterations (TSAs) in Cancer Patients

Recently, smell and taste disorders have seen renewed interest, as these symptoms are frequent complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection, since approximately 60% of patients affected by COVID-19 have shown olfactory and gustatory alterations. Otolaryngology pays attention to taste and smell abnormalities (TSAs), especially when associated with oncology. TSAs are common symptoms in people affected by cancer, yet they are ignored and underestimated. The clinical outcome of TSAs in cancer evidences the importance of identifying them with chemotherapy or radiotherapy in general, and they are associated with many types of cancer. We recognize the findings of the literature on TSAs in cancer, evaluating how it is important to consider and identify these disorders concerning reduced food enjoyment or inappropriate nutrient intake, and modulating the nutritional status, quality of life, and impact of therapy. This review aims to critically evaluate and recognize the assessment and clinical perspectives of taste and smell disorders in a cancer population.

Alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA) hormones 6 months after cranial radiotherapy in adult patients with primary brain tumors outside the HPA region

BACKGROUND

Cranial radiotherapy is a common treatment for brain tumors, but it can affect the hypothalamic-pituitary (H-P) axis and lead to hormonal disorders. This study aimed to compare serum levels of HPA hormones before and after cranial radiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study involved 27 adult patients who underwent brain tumor resection before the initiation of radiotherapy, and none had metastatic brain tumors. All participants had the HPA within the radiation field, and their tumors were located in brain areas outside from the HPA. Serum levels of HPA hormones were recorded both before and 6 months after cranial radiotherapy.

RESULTS

A total of 27 adult patients, comprising 16 (59.3%) males and 11 (40.7%) females, with a mean age of 56.37 ± 11.38 years, were subjected to evaluation. Six months post-radiotherapy, serum levels of GH and TSH exhibited a significant decrease. Prior to radiotherapy, a substantial and direct correlation was observed between TSH and FSH (p = 0.005) as well as LH (p = 0.014). Additionally, a significant and direct relationship was noted between serum FSH and LH (p < 0.001) before radiotherapy. After radiotherapy, a significant and direct correlation persisted between TSH and FSH (p = 0.003) as well as LH (p = 0.005), along with a significant and direct relationship between serum FSH and LH (p < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant and direct association was identified between changes in serum GH levels and FSH (p = 0.04), as well as between serum LH and FSH (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Reduced serum levels of HPA hormones are a significant complication of cranial radiotherapy and should be evaluated in follow-up assessments.