Radiation to the head, neck, and upper thorax of the young and thyroid neoplasia
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), Vol. 69:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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CARCINOMAS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
THYROID
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
CHEST
CHILDREN
HEAD
NECK
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
DISEASES
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GLANDS
MAMMALS
MAN
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PRIMATES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
THERAPY
VERTEBRATES
560151* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man