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The nodules were usually multiple, non-tender and varied in consistency,
In some instances enlargement of one or both lobes was noted,
Surgical
exploration, to be described below, has been carried out in 18 of tie
19 nodular thyroid glands.
Benign adenomatous lesions were found in all
with the presence of malignant lesions also present in 3 of these cases.
One adult with somewhat less significant nodularity of the thyroid is
_ still under observation.
In view of the seriousness of these developments
|
in the thyroid a panel of experts adviéed that the people be given
supplemental thyroid hormone.
.
This treatment was instituted in September 1965..
.
|
Table 1 outlines the incidence of benign nodules (including atrophy
.
I
..
of the gland), the malignant ‘lesions and the estimated dose of radiation to
a
_
|
the thyroid glands in the various populations under study.
ote
—
The highest
incidence of thyroid lesions (89,5%) has been noted in the heavily exposed ot
Rongelap children who were less than 10 years of age at the time of the
accident,
|
The absence of lesions in childrenof the same age in the lesser
exposed and unexposed groups is most notable.
;
The incidence of thyroid
|
lesions in the adults of the more heavily exposed group is considerably
lower than in the children but is significantly higher than is generally"
‘seen in the adult population of the lesser or unexposed groups. (Only one
individual has been found to have an adenomatous thyroid lesion in the
lesser exposed Rongelap group.)
-
The first case‘of carcinoma of the thyroid was discovered in 1965 in
a 40 year old woman in the heavily exposed group, 11 years after exposure.
At that time the relationship of radiation exposure to the appearance
of this lesion was seriously questioned, although such lesions are. rare
.
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DOE ARCHIVES.
(357
#9.0