Growth Hormone Deficiency in Childhood Germ Cell Tumor Survivors

Abstract

Background: Intracranial germ cell tumor (iGCT) survivors have multiple risk factors for growth hormone (GH) deficiency, a commonly reported late effect in childhood cancer survivors. The objective of this study is to examine the prevalence of GH deficiency among childhood iGCT survivors. Methods: Participants were previously enrolled in the Germ Cell Tumor Epidemiology Study (GaMETES), a case-parent triad study by the Children’s Oncology Group registries. A subset of these participants consented to this late effects follow-up study. Questionnaire responses or medical records were available for 129 participants. Results: Forty-five percent had GH deficiency. Eighteen percent had GH deficiency predating the iGCT and 27% developed it within a median of 19 months. Younger age, suprasellar location, and higher radiation doses were associated with GH deficiency as a late effect. Conclusions: GH deficiency is highly prevalent as an early clinical sign for an iGCT and frequently arises as an early late effect.