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Title: Thyroid cancer following radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease: a case report and review of the literature

Journal Article · · Med. Pediatr. Oncol.; (United States)

Improved survival resulting from advances in therapy in patients with Hodgkin's disease is associated with long-term morbidity, including the potential for the development of a second solid malignancy. We report a 44-year-old man with an unusually aggressive course of thyroid carcinoma 15 years after treatment for Hodgkin's disease. In a review of the English-language literature, we found 21 cases of thyroid cancer following radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease, with latency periods ranging from 6 to 48 years. The development of secondary thyroid cancer after high-dose neck irradiation may be related to hypothyroidism, itself a complication of radiotherapy. Thyroid function should be measured at least once a year in all patients given neck irradiation, with initiation of thyroid hormone replacement if there is evidence of sustained hypothyroidism.

Research Organization:
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
OSTI ID:
5004812
Journal Information:
Med. Pediatr. Oncol.; (United States), Vol. 4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English