Thyroid Problems After Childhood Cancer Treatment
Author Information
Author(s): Shafford E A, Kingston J E, Healy J C, Webb J A W, Plowman P N, Reznek R H
Primary Institution: St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
Hypothesis
Patients who receive radiotherapy to the neck are at risk of developing thyroid dysfunction.
Conclusion
The study found that a significant number of patients developed thyroid dysfunction and abnormalities after receiving neck radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease in childhood.
Supporting Evidence
- 64% of patients had abnormal thyroid function tests.
- All patients had an abnormal thyroid ultrasound scan.
- 42% of patients had at least one focal abnormality.
- 65% of patients not on thyroxine developed new focal abnormalities during follow-up.
- Three patients were found to have thyroid carcinoma.
Takeaway
Kids who had radiation on their neck for cancer might have problems with their thyroid later on, so doctors need to check on them for a long time.
Methodology
The study involved clinical examination, thyroid function tests, and thyroid ultrasound on 47 patients.
Participant Demographics
Patients treated for Hodgkin's disease in childhood who received neck radiotherapy.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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