THYROID AND ASSOCIATED POLYGLANDULAR NEOPLASMS IN PATIENTS WHO RECEIVED HEAD AND NECK IRRADIATION DURING CHILDHOOD

One hundred fifty‐one patients with a history of childhood irradiation to the head, neck, and thorax had neck explorations (142 for “cold” thyroid nodules and 9 for hypercalcemia). Fifty‐nine of the patients had thyroid carcinoma, and associated glandular tumors were found in 20 others. In addition, 6 female patients developed breast carcinoma; 4 of these women also had thyroid carcinoma. In this series, 48.6% of the patients irradiated for acne and 36.4% with tonsil and adenoid irradiation developed thyroid carcinoma, but only 10.5% with thymic irradiation did so. It is suggested that the workup on these patients include not only complete thyroid and parathyroid testing, but also a careful examination of all salivary glands, both major and minor. Women should have thorough breast examinations and should perhaps be followed as if they were in the potentially high‐risk breast group. When thyroid surgery is performed, a total thyroidectomy is recommended. Copyright © 1979 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company