Mednet Logo
CommunityRadiation Oncology

Do you consent patients for diabetes insipidus following SRS or fractionated radiation for pituitary tumors?

My understanding is that this risk is exceedingly rare even with treatment in and around the stalk and hypothalamus.
2 Answers
Mednet Member
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Radiation Oncology · Renaissance Institute of Precision Oncology & Radiosurgery
Answered on

This, and more broadly hypopituitarism of any type, is an important consideration and likely under-addressed topic in consent.

Untreated hypopituitarism in adult life is associated with reduced all-cause life expectancy, and by one study 2x mortality rate compared with age/sex matched controls. [1]

Th...

Join for free or sign in to see the full answer

Mednet Member
Mednet Member
Radiation Oncology · University of North Carolina
Answered on · Updated on

No. I do not consent for DI. I do consent for pituitary dysfunction/hypopituitarism.

This exceedingly rare "side effect" has been reported from radiation. There are reasons for the quotes. If radiation is deemed the source, it should be by absolute exclusion of all other causes and it can still be id...

Join for free or sign in to see the full answer