Irradiation-related thyroid cancer

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1977 · Del. Med. J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6781839

Meckelnburg, R L ^[1]; Whitney, L W

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1. Wilmington Medical Center, DE

The Division of Cancer Control and Rehabilitation of NCI has posted information for physicians with regard to irradiation-related thyroid cancer. A summary about late effects of radiation of head and neck in infancy and childhood points out that irradiation of the thyroid gland during various therapeutic regimens is now recognized as a possible cause of development of both benign and malignant thyroid tumors many years later. The often benign and slow growing tumors may develop up to 35 years after treatment. They can be removed surgically. The greatest problem is identifying persons who received radiation in childhood. Careful inspection and palpation of the gland are recommended. Radioisotope scans may be helpful since cold nodules are more likely to be carcinomas. If a nodule is suspected on palpation, administrating thyroid hormone may shrink the gland and make the nodule more prominent. Some feel that hormone given to asymptomatic patients with irradiation history may help prevent tumor development. At-risk individuals and those who have been treated surgically for thyroid malignancy should be examined every 1--2 years. Surgical exploration should be considered for thyroid nodules. The nuclear medical section of the Wilmington Medical Center has established a tumor registry for thyroid tumors and has recorded 96 patients who are being followed by a special thyroid registry. Recommendations concerning identification of patients at-risk, detection, and scintiscanning are given.

• OSTI ID: 6781839
• Journal Information: Del. Med. J.; (United States), Vol. 49:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
THYROID
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
DIAGNOSIS
HEAD
IRRADIATION
NECK
PATIENTS
SCINTISCANNING
SURGERY
THYROID HORMONES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GLANDS
HORMONES
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PEPTIDE HORMONES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
RADIOLOGY
THERAPY
560151* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man
550601 - Medicine- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics