SYSTEMATIC-APPROACH FOR DETECTION OF ENDOCRINE DISORDERS IN CHILDREN TREATED FOR BRAIN-TUMORS

Endocrine dysfunction can be challenging to diagnose in children treat ed for brain tumors. Treatments are available for hormonal replacement and when necessary, hormonal suppression. Without these endocrine tre atment regimens, life can be unnecessarily difficult or unpleasant. An endocrine survey can be used to screen at-risk neuro-oncology patient s once or twice a year to facilitate the recognition of endocrine dysf unction. It is hoped that through the use of a routine screening progr am, physicians will be able to diagnose and begin treatment of endocri ne problems in a time-efficient manner. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.