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

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