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.

Select target paragraph3