29
The depressed thyroidal iodine uptake rate and
renal excretion rate are puzzling, and no explanation for them !s available at this time.
Developmentof Thyroid Abnormalities
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
cas: z have hypothyroidism with no nodules. All
occurred in the more heavily exposed Rongelap
people except for one woman in the less exposed
(Ailingnae) group. A thyroid nodule was first
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
Table !7
Thyroid Abnormalities in Exposed Rongelap People, 1966
Subject No.
and sex
Present
age, yr
Age at
exposure, yr
Year
Age, yr
Findings
3° M
13
I
1965
12
5 M
13
1
1965
12
17 F
21 =F
5
15
3
3
1963-12
1964
33
Adenomatousgoiter; total thyroidectomy, 1964. No recurrence.
69 F
2M
20 M
64 F
16
13
19
42
4
1
7
30
196414
1965-12
1965
18
196541
Adenomatousgoiter, partial thyruidectomy, 1964. No recurrence.
Hypothyroid, PBI <2 hg% March 1965; retardation of growth
preceded these findings Ly a numberof years. 3/66 growth spurt
and improved appearanceon thyroxine.
Hypothyroid, PBI <2 we% March 1965; retardation of growth
preceded these findings by a numberofyears. 3/66 growth spurt
and improved appearance on thyroxine.
Adenomatous goiter; tatal thyroidectomy, parathyroidecton:y,
1964. No recurrence.
Adenomatousgoiter, partial thyroidectomy, i965. No recurrence.
Adenomatous gin er, partial thyroidectomy, 1965. No recurrence.
Mixed papillary and follicular carcinoma,total thyroidectomy-
surgical and therapeutic radioivuine, 1965. No recurrence,
72
42
18
15
6
3
1965
1965
«17
14
Three-mm noduleleft Icbe. 9/66 nodule not palpable.
Two-mm nodule right lower lobe. 3/66 nodular enlargement
(~1% X normal) entire gland; firm 5-mm nodule right lobe.
7/66 subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatous goiter.
él
F
20
8
1965
19
40
M
4]
29
1965
40
59° F
46
94
54M
13
1
1966
13
5
1966
«17
7
1966
19
IS M
36 M
19
196545
Six to 8-mm smooth nodule left lower pole. 3/66 1-cm nodule left
lobe. 7/66 subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatousgoiter.
Two-mm nodule right lower pole. 3,/66 no nodules detected.
Five-mm nodule midline. 3/66 same. 7/66 ¥: btotal thyroidectomy: adenomatousgoiter.
Nodular enlargement (~1% XX normal) left lobe and isthmus
with 2-mm firm nodule.
Multinodular soft enlargement entire gland (~1!'2 x normal). 1cm nodule right lower pote.
Slight nodular enlargement, entire gland. 1-cm nodule, not ciearly
demarcated, at right lower pole. Many tiny nodules over surface
of gland.
43 F
13
1966
13
9.63 questionable irregular gland. 3/66 definite 5-mm nodule
left lobe. 7.66 subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatous goiter.
Hurthle cell adenoma.
65 OF
13
i
19663
9/65 questionable small nodule. 3.66 5-mmnodule right tobe
7/66 right subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatous goiter.
*Exposed to only 69 rads whole-bodyradiation and presumably proportionate! y less thyroid dose.