Evaluation Of Thyroid Function Tests In Cancer Patients Treated In The Oncology Unit, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar

Abstract

Background: Hypothyroidism is a well-known side effect of cancer management through chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and molecular-target therapy. Thyroid function assessment is crucial for the prevention of dysfunction and improvement of the therapeutic effect. In the context of Hayatabad Medical Complex, this study targets on evaluating the thyroid function disorders in the oncology unit cancer patients receiving treatment.
Objectives: to determining the frequency and forms of thyroid dysfunction among oncological patients receiving treatment at the Oncology Unit Hayatabad Medical Complex and to describe the association between thyroid function and cancer therapy regimens.
Study design: : A cross-sectional study.
Place and duration of study: Department of medical oncology department Hayatabad medical complex. Peshawar January 2019 to December 2019
Methods:  on this  cross-sectional research design was conducted on 100 cancer patients, attending the oncology unit. TSH, FT4, FT3 levels were evaluated, as were patient’s sex/age/intake of various treatments. The basic quantitative descriptive analyses such as mean, standard deviation, and p-value were used to determine the relationship between the variables. Specific abnormal conditions of the thyroid were not tested, if the patient previously had such, to minimize the influence of the illness on the treatment outcomes.
Results: 50.6 years (SD ±12.3) one hundred patients with cancer had thyroid dysfunction prevalence ranging at 42 percent. Hypothyroid state was commonest (28%) followed by subclinical hypothyroidisms (10% and hyperthyroidisms (4%). The results further showed that overall thyroid dysfunction was more common in patients received radiotherapy in the head and neck region (p-value < 0.05). In the present study no statistical differences in thyroid dysfunction in male and female patients were found. Here mild subclinical hypothyroidism was observed in 18% of cases related to chemotherapy. Targeted therapy, the patient population that exhibited autoimmune thyroiditis was significantly different (Chi-square = 4.00; p-value < 0.05). The implication of the findings is that thyroid function should be monitored frequently when a patient with cancer is receiving treatment.
Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction is common in cancer patients, particularly those undergoing radiation and targeted therapies. Regular monitoring of thyroid function tests is essential for early detection and management. The study highlights the significance of thyroid screening in improving patient outcomes and minimizing treatment-related complications. Integrating thyroid care into cancer management protocols is recommended for comprehensive patient care at Hayatabad Medical Complex.