29
The depressed thyroidal iodine uptake rate and
renal excretion rate are puzzling, and no explanation for them is 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
cases have hypothyroidism with no nodules. All
occurred in the more heavily exposed Rongelap
people except for one womanin the less exposed
(Ailingnae) group. A thyroid nodule was first
noted in 1963 in a 12-year-old girl in the exposed
group, and in1964 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 17
Thyroid Abnormalities in Exposed Rongelap People, 1966
Subject No.
and sex
3°
M
Present
age, vr
13
Age at
exposure, yr
l
Year
Age, yr
1965
12
Findings
Hypothyroid, PBI <2 wg% March 1965; retardation of growth
precededthese findings by a numberof years. 3/66 growth spurt
and improved appearance on thyroxine.
5
13
l
1965
12
17
15
3
1963
12
Adenomatousgoiter; total thyroidectomy, 1964. No recurrence.
21
15
3
1964
13
Adenomatous goiter; total thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy,
F
16
4
1964
14
Adenomatousgoiter, partial thyroidectomy, 1964. No recurrence.
2
M
13
I
1965
12
Adenomatousgoiter, partial thyroidectomy, 1965. No recurrence.
20
M
19
7
1965
18
Adenomatousgoiter, partial thyroidectomy, 1965. No recurrence.
64
F
42
30
1965
41
Mixed papillary andfollicular carcinoma,total thyroidectomy-—
surgical and therapeutic radioiodine, 1965. No recurrence.
69
M
Hypothyroid, PBI <2 pg% March 1965; retardation of growth
preceded these findings by a numberof years. 3/66 growth spurt
and improved appearance on thyroxine.
1964. No recurrence.
18
6
1965
17
Three-mm nodule left lobe. 9/66 nodule not palpable.
42
F
15
3
1965
14
Two-mm nodule right lower lobe. 3/66 nodular enlargement
(~1'% X normal) entire gland; firm 5-mm nodulerightlobe.
61
F
20
8
1965
19
Six to 8-mm smooth noduleleft lower pole. 3/66 1-cm noduleleft
40
M
41
29
1965
40
Two-mm nodule right lower pole. 3/66 no nodules detected.
59* F
46
34
1965
45
Five-mm nodule midline. 3/66 same. 7/66 subtotal thyroidec-
34
M
13
l
1966
13
Nodular enlargement (~1% x normal) left lobe and isthmus
with 2-mm firm nodule.
19
M
17
5
1966
17
36
M
19
7
1966
19
Slight nodular enlargement, entire gland. 1-cm nodule, not clearly
33
=F
13
1
1966
13
9/65 questionable irregular gland. 3/66 definite 5-mm nodule
1
1966
13
9/65 questionable small nodule. 3/66 5-mm nodule right lobe.
7/66 right subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatousgoiter.
72
.
——~- —
lobe. 7/66 subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatousgoiter.
tomy: adenomatousgoiter.
Multinodularsoft enlargement entire gland (~1'4 x normal). 1-
cm nodule right lowerpole.
demarcated, at right lower pole. Manytiny nodules over surface
of gland.
Se
a
ee
et
7/66 subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatous goiter.
left lobe. 7/66 subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatous goiter,
Hurthle cell adenoma.
635
=F
13
*Exposed to only 69 rads whole-body radiation and presumably proportionately less thyroid dose.
9008313