Long-term radiotherapy related complications in children with head and neck cancer: Another era for pediatric oncologic pathology

Nikolaos Eleftheriadis2, Christos Papaloukas1, Damianos Eleftheriadis1, Apostolos Hatzitolios2, Ioulia Ioannidou-Marathiotou3, Kiki Pistevou-Gompaki11Department of Radiation, Oncology, AHEPA University Hospital; 2A’Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital; 3Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Aristotle’s University of Thessaloniki, GreeceAbstract: Long-term radiotherapy-related complications in children with head and neck cancer have been frequently reported, especially facial growth disorders and dental abnormalities. We report on two male children (8 and 14 years old) with head and neck cancer, who were successfully treated with chemoradiotherapy and presented with growth deficiency of middle face and mandible hypoplasia, eight years and one year later, respectively. These severe growth complications attributed to chemoradiotherapy, while the patients survived primary malignancy. Patient age at irradiation was significantly correlated with the severity of disorders. We consider late sequelae in children with head and neck cancer due to chemoradiotherapy another era for pediatric oncologic pathology for prevention, if possible, or to manage them efficiently.Keywords: radiotherapy, head and neck cancer, growth disorders