29
The depressed thyroidal iodine uptake rate and
renal excretion rate are puzzling, and no explanation for them is available at thisme.
cases have hypothyroidism with no nodules. All
occurred in the more heavily exposed Rongelap
Development of Thyroid Abnormalities
noted in 1963 in a 12-year-old girl in the exposed
group, and in 1964 two additional cases with
nodules were found in exposed girls 13 and
14 years of age.'°?? In March 1965 three additional cases in exposed people were noted in boys
During the past 3 years, beginning at 9 years
after exposure, a total of 18 cases of abnormalities
of the thyroid gland have been detected. Nodules
of the thyroid gland were found in 16 cases, and 2
people except for one womanin theless exposed
(Ailingnae) group. A thyroid nodule was first
Table 17
Thyroid Abnormalities in Exposed Rongelap People, 1966
Subject No.
and sex
3M
Present
age, yr
Ageat
exposure, yr
13
1
Year
Findings
Age, yr
1965-12
Hypothyroid, PBI <2 hge% March 1965; retardation of growth
preceded these findings by a numberof years. 3/66 growth spurt
and improved appearance on thyroxine.
5 M
13
1
1965
12
Hypothyroid, PBI <2 ue% March 1965; retardation of growth
preceded these findings by a numberof years. 3/66 growth spurt
and improved appearance on thyroxine.
17 F
21 *F
15
15
3
3
196312
196413
Adenomatousgoiter; total thyroidectomy, 1964. No recurrence
69 F
2M
16
(13
4
1
1964-14
1965
12
Adenomatousgoiter, partial thyroidectomy, 1964. No recurrence
vi
ue
1
a
20 Mz 19. FED1965
64-8
420030
of
18
5. 41
7 Bee
Adenomatous goiter; total thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomvy,
1964. No recurrence.
Adenomatousgoiter, partialtthyroidectomy, 1965. No recurrence
<=
:
.
Adenomatous goiter,partialshyroidecsomy, 1965. Norecurrence.
Mixed papillary andfollicular carcinoma, total thyrdidettemy
. urgical and therapeutic radioiodine, 1965; Newmiiiy
1965 “> T¥*~
1965
14
Three-mm nodule left lobe. 9/66 nodude‘hot
ZEwo- mm nodule right lower labe. 3/66 ho ales
Zttargeyneat
1% X normal) entire gland; firm 5-mm nodule¥ight
tobe.
_ 4/66 subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatous goiter. : > * §
1965
19
: ae
wnat
to 8-mmamooth nodule left lower pole. 3/66 1-cm nod
bbe. 7/64subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatousgoiter.
-
¢
1965
We
Two-mm nodule right lower poie. 3/66 no nodules detected.
1965
45
Five-mm nodule midline. 3/66 same. 7/66 subtotal thyreldee
tomy: adenomatousgoiter,
“ze
54M
13
l
1966
13
Nodular enlargement {(~142 x normal) left lobe and isthmus
with 2-mm firm nodule.
19 M
17
5
1966
117
Multinodular soft enlargement entire gland (~1'2 x normal). !cm nodule right lower pole.
36 M
19
7
1966
19
Slight nodular enlargement, entire gland. l-cm nodule, not clearly
demarcated, at right lower pole. Manytiny nodules over surface
of gland.
33.
13
1
1966
13
9/65 questionable irregular gland. 3/66 definid-mm nodule
F
left lobe. 7/66 subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatousgoiter,
Hurthle cell adenoma.
65 F
13
1
1966
13
9/65 questionable smail nodule. 3/66 5-mm nodule right lobe.
7/66 right subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatous goiter.
*Exposed to only 69 rads whole-body radiation and presumably proportionately less thyroid dose.