Thyroid Abnormalities
Small growths (neoplasms) were felt in the thyroids of three young girls
at 9 and 10 years post exposure.
They were subsequently operated upon and
their thyroids totally or partially removed.
Since that time in 1963,
operations for thyroid nodules have been performed on 20 people,
17 from the
While it is generally
functioning and to anticipate the possibility of the growths turning malignant
at a later date.
In all,
four of these nodules were found to have "malignant
1972 survey).
As explained before,
it was known that the thyroids of the persons had
been exposed to doses near or above tolerance.
of exposed children,
tee
a
(See appendix summarizing the
ao
lesions" according to a report from Dr. Conard.
However, especially in the case
the differing size of the thyroid was not taken into
surgery -- any possible abnormalities.
These tests, however,
failed to
indicate any future possible problems because of the presence of an unusually
high amount of certain chemicals (iodoprotein)
Americans.
in the Marshallese compared tc
Thus it was that the eleven and twelve year report commented thit:
114
‘
of the surveys and various tests were conducted to try and locate -- short of
eet
Japanese at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the thyroid was watched carefully in all
weer
Despite this fact, and probably in consideration of thyroid findings in exposed
ag?
.
consideration and this resulted in little expectation of later nodule development.
~_
for removal based on the fact that the thyroids were no longer
wreced®
(1) to check for possible malignancy,
pspOpnang
and (2)
the
ene sel
operations were performed for two reasons,
(not cancerous),
ore?
these nodules are nonmalignant
ia
acknowledged that most of
——
,
Rongelap not exposed to the original fallout.
»
Rongelap exvosed, one from Ailinginae, one from Utirik, and one person from