Post-radiation changes in thyroid function during treatment of head and neck tumors: current state of the problem

Post-radiation hypothyroidism is a common complication of treatment of head and neck tumors: its incidence is 6–50 %. Even subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with such cardiovascular diseases as ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction. This pathology can significantly affect both quality of life and lifespan of patients who underwent radiation therapy.The article presents results of studies on identification of predictors of post-radiation hypothyroidism, as well as clinical cases demonstrating results of radiation therapy in head and neck cancer treatment.