Radiation therapy stands as a crucial treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but it isn't without its potential side effects, particularly impacting the thyroid gland. The thyroid's role in maintaining overall health is vital, yet radiation therapy can sometimes lead to complications such as hypothyroidism (HT) or subclinical HT, affecting patients' well-being.
A clinical trial carried out at Fujian Province Hospital sought ways to minimize these thyroid-related issues in individuals undergoing radiation therapy for NPC.
Clinical trial
This trial involved ninety-two participants who underwent various treatment approaches, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), a specialized form of radiation treatment. The research closely monitored the thyroid function of these patients before and after radiation, paying specific attention to a set radiation dose limit for the thyroid gland, termed as V40 ≤ 85%.
The primary focus of the trial lay on subclinical HT, a condition that affects health without immediate symptoms. Over an average follow-up period of 34 months, researchers made a notable discovery: a significant difference emerged in the occurrence of subclinical HT between two distinct groups - one adhering to the specified thyroid dose limit (V40 ≤ 85%) and the other without any specific constraint (unrestricted group).
Remarkably, the group that adhered to the thyroid dose limit showcased a notably lower risk of developing subclinical HT compared to those without such restrictions. This implies that by carefully regulating the amount of radiation the thyroid gland receives during treatment planning, there might be a considerable reduction in the likelihood of thyroid-related issues following radiation therapy for NPC.