To the Editor: Currently, survival rates of childhood cancers have improved globally [1]. Endocrine disorders are the most frequently reported complications among childhood cancer survivors (CCS) that appear late within years after cancer survival [2]. The literature has shown that a lack of adequate follow-up of childhood brain tumor survivors may result in delayed management of these endocrine abnormalities that affect health and quality of life [2, 3]. The purpose of this retrospective observational study was to evaluate the prevalence of different endocrine abnormalities focusing on hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) disorders and to evaluate the risk factors for these disorders in CCS of brain and neck cancer.

A total of 203 childhood cancer survivors of brain and neck cancer attending the Pediatric Oncology Hospital at Alexandria University were included. Data collected included demographic data, tumor-associated characteristics, cancer treatment modalities, anthropometric measurements and the evaluation of hormonal profiles.

Growth hormone deficiency had the highest prevalence of 17.28%, followed by primary hypothyroidism at 14.86%, thyroid-stimulating hormone deficiency at 10.4%, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone deficiency at 9.09%, adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency/ cortisol deficiency at 8.06% and central precocious puberty at 1.69%. A history of hydrocephalus at cancer diagnosis and craniopharyngioma were associated with a higher risk of developing endocrine abnormalities.

To conclude, the prevalence of endocrine abnormalities in brain and neck cancer survivors was high. This highlights the need for adequate follow-up and routine screening of endocrine abnormalities in survivors of childhood brain and neck tumors.