Radiation to the head, neck, and upper thorax of the young and thyroid neoplasia

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · J. Indiana State Med. Assoc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7292271

Schreiner, R L

It is now generally accepted that an association exists between external radiation administered to the head, neck and upper thorax of infants, children and adolescents and the subsequent development of neoplastic changes in the thyroid gland. Until recent years external radiation was frequently administered to shrink an enlarged thymus, or for the treatment of tonsillitis, adenoiditis, hearing loss, hemangioma, acne, tinea capitis and other conditions. During the course of these treatments, the thyroid gland was exposed to scattered radiation. It is stressed that the use of external radiation therapy was then accepted practice and its value was attested by many. The likelihood of adverse effects was not initially apparent, primarily because of the long periods of time between the administration of the therapy and the recognition of changes in the thyroid. The availability and effectiveness of other therapeutic measures and the growing concern about the delayed effects of radiation therapy when administered to the young for relatively benign conditions has, in recent years, largely eliminated use of this form of therapy, except in a few unusual conditions.

• OSTI ID: 7292271
• Journal Information: J. Indiana State Med. Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Indiana State Med. Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 69:3; ISSN JIDXA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CARCINOMAS
CHEST
CHILDREN
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
DISEASES
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GLANDS
HEAD
MAMMALS
MAN
MEDICINE
NECK
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PRIMATES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
THERAPY
THYROID
VERTEBRATES