Epidemiological Evaluation of Patients Diagnosed with Lymphoma and the Retrospective Evaluation of the Endocrinological Parameters as Late Side Effect of the Patients Without the Treatment

INTRODUCTION: In this study, it was aimed to retrospectively evaluate the epidemiological characteristics and long-term side effects related to hormon and bone metabolism in the follow-up of lymphoma patients between the ages of 0-18 years.
METHODS: 98 patients who were diagnosed with HL and NHL between 2007-2020 in the Van Yuzuncuyil University Pediatric Hematology Clinic were retrospectively scanned from the hospital database.
RESULTS: A total of 98 pediatric patients (55 HL, 43 NHL) were included, of whom 75.5% were male. The mean age at diagnosis was significantly higher in HL compared to NHL (106.7 ± 46.8 vs. 103 ± 50.3 months, p=0.032), while the mean updated age showed no significant difference (p=0.701). Among HL patients, mixed cellular type (49.1%) was the most common subtype, and 41.8% received RT in addition to CT. Growth retardation was observed in 2 patients, and puberty disorders in 7 patients (p>0.05). Vitamin D deficiency was frequent in both groups (HL: 38.2%, NHL: 23.3%). No significant differences were found in PTH, phosphorus, ALP, TSH, or fT4 levels. Hypothyroidism was present in 5 patients before and developed in 6 additional cases after CT-RT, without statistical significance. FSH levels were significantly higher in HL compared to NHL (p=0.037), whereas LH, estradiol, and testosterone showed no significant difference between groups.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We conclude that it is important to evaluate patients regularly in terms of endocrinological and metabolic side effects related to CT and RT during the treatment process and long-term follow-up.