Abstract
Head and neck tumors are common in Slovakia. Although the number of tumors associated with smoking and alcohol is decreasing, the number of tumors associated with human papilloma-virus increases. Radiotherapy plays an important role in their treatment. The thyroid gland, due to its oneself location, is predisposed to the development of post-radiation dysfunction. Nowadays, there are methods able to reduce this risk and also available new options for treatment and dispensary care for these patients. The aim of this work is to analyze the incidence and pathophysiological mechanisms of post-radiation hypothyroidism in patients with head and neck tumors, to highlight the risk factors associated with radiotherapy and evaluation of prevention possibilities and treatments, and an overview of modern therapeutic approaches. Special attention is devoted to the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and the need for a long-term patient monitoring as well as the assessment of thyroid function as an integral part of a comprehensive oncological care.