The role of Zulewski’s clinical score in screening for hypothyroidism in post-radiation therapy nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a leading cause of cancer related death in Asia; and the fourth most common malignancy Indonesia. Hypothyroidism one commonly overlooked radiotherapy-induced late side effect due to its gradual occurrence despite irreversibility. Unfortunately, thyroid evaluation not widely accessible throughout Therefore, it quite important utilize simple reliable surrogate tool for hypothyroidism screening. This study aims evaluate function validate Zulewski’s scoring system as temporary marker post-RT NPC patients. Method: cross-sectional involving patients between November 2015 March 2016 at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Jakarta, The had completed radiation therapy (RT) within preceding six months. They were evaluated signs symptoms with clinical serological analysis stimulating hormone (TSH) free thyroxine (FT4) levels. Results: There 97 this study. 28 (28.9%) subjects experienced based on TSH FT4 levels, subclinical (13.4%) type, followed by overt (9.3%) hypothyroxinemia (6.2%). From hypothyroidism, 19.6% score <5, while 40.5% scores ≥5. Subjects <5 exhibited more itself, those who scored ≥5 showed closely hypothyroidism. Conclusion: shows that after radiotherapy (28.9%). indicates