Radiotherapy treatment in childhood is an important cause of thyroid cancer. In the 1930 to 1950 era, radium irradiation of the nasopharynx was used to control hyperplastic adenoids. Because of the technical characteristics of this applicator, sufficient radiation was not applied to the thyroid by this technique to stimulate the development of thyroid malignancies. No malignancies have been reported thus far as a result of> this treatment.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BurnamCF: The monel metal radium applicator designed for maximum use of hard beta rays in the treatment of nasopharyngeal lymphoid tissue. Mississippi Valley Med J67: 109–111, 1945.
2.
CroweSJ: Irradiation of the nasopharynx. Wherry Memorial Lecture, American Academy of Ophthalmology and otolaryngology, Chicago, Oct 13–18, 1946.
3.
CroweSJ: The nasopharynx. Arch Otolaryngol33: 618–622, 1941.
4.
BurnamCF: General factors in irradiation therapy. Symposium on Irradiation Therapy in Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology, American Academy of Ophthalmology and otolaryngology, Chicago, Oct 13–18, 1946.
5.
ProctorDFPolvogtLMCroweSJ: Irradiation of lymphoid tissue in diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Johns Hopkins Med J83: 383–428, 1948.
6.
WilsonEHAsperSP: The role of x-ray therapy to the neck region in the production of thyroid cancer in young people. Arch Intern Med105: 244–251, 1960.
7.
RichardsonJEBeaugieJMBrownCL: Thyroid cancer in young patients in Great Britain. Br J Surg61: 85–89, 1974.
8.
McGrawRWMcKenzieAD: Carcinoma of the thyroid and laryngopharynx following irradiation. Cancer16: 692–696, 1965.
9.
DeCosseJJBeierwaltesWH: Carcinoma of the thyroid. Arch Surg110, 1975.
10.
DeCosseJJBeierwaltesWH: Thyroid Ca: To scan or not to scan. Med World News, 1975.
11.
MeierDAHamburgerJI: An autonomously functioning thyroid nodule, cancer, and prior radiation. Arch Surg103: 759–761, 1971.
12.
SampsonRJWoolnerLBBahnRC: Occult thyroid carcinoma in Olmsted County, Minnesota: Prevalence at autopsy compared with that in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. Cancer 1974.
13.
SampsonRJKeyRJBuncherCR: Thyroid carcinoma in Hiroshima and Nagasaki: I. Prevalence of thyroid carcinoma at autopsy. JAMA209: 65–70, 1969.
14.
SmithDGLeavittSH: Radiation carcinogenesis: An unusual familial occurrence of neoplasia following irradiation in childhood for benign disease. Cancer34: 2069–2071, 1974.
15.
RefetoffSHarrisonJKaranfilskiBT: Continuing occurrence of thyroid carcinoma after irradiation to the neck in infancy and childhood. N Engl J Med292: 171, 1975.
16.
DolowitzDA: Nasopharyngeal irradiation. Ear Nose Throat J37: 39–46, 1958.
17.
CroweSJBaylorJW: The prevention of deafness. JAMA112: 585–590, 1939.
18.
BordleyJE: The treatment and prevention of deafness in children. South Med J33: 1159–1164, 1940.
19.
CroweSJBurnamCF: Recognition, treatment and prevention of hearing impairment in children. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol50: 15–31, 1941.
20.
GuildSRPolvogtLMSandsteadHR: Impaired hearing in school children. Laryngoscope50: 731–746, 1940.
21.
BordleyJEHardyWG: The efficacy of nasopharyngeal irradiation for the prevention of deafness in children. Acta Oto-Laryngol120: 5–49, 1955.
22.
BordleyJEHardyWG: The use of radium in the aerotitis control program of the Army Air Force. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol54: 650–660, 1945.
23.
FowlerEP: The use of radon to prevent otitis media due to hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue and barotrauma (aero-otitis). Arch Otolaryngol40: 402–405, 1944.
24.
HendricksJELibermanAT: Activities of the irradiation clinic at Westover Field, Massachusetts. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol54: 662–683, 1945.
25.
MikellJS: The use of radium in the aerotitis control program in the Twelfth Air Force. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol54. 708–715, 1945.
26.
TrapassoTJ: Aerotitis program in the Fifteenth Air Force. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol54: 716–721, 1945.
27.
TrapassoTJ: Summary of combined report of radium in aerotitis control. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol54: 722–724, 1945.
28.
HainesHLHarrisJD: Aerotitis media in submariners. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol55: 347–371, 1946.
29.
ProctorDF: Irradiation for the elimination of nasopharyngeal lymphoid tissue. Arch Otolaryngol, pp 473–480.
30.
CambrelinG: Radio et radiumtherapie du tissu lymphoide en ORL. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Belg1: 194, 1947.
31.
BoniverRGarsouJ: Netatherapie tubaire par Sonde de Strontium dans les Otites Recidivantes. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Belg28: 996–1007, 1974.
32.
ProctorDF: The tonsils and adenoids in childhood. Springfield, Ill, Charles C Thomas, 1960.
