29
The depressed thyroidal iodine uptake rate and
renal excretion rate are puzzling, and no explanation for them is available at this time.
Development of 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 theless exposed
(Ailingnae) group. A thyroid nodule was frst
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 notedin boys
Table 17
Thyroid Abnormalities in Exposed Rongelap People, 1966
Subject No.
and sex
Present
age, yr
3 M
13
Age at
exposure,yr
1
Year
Age, yr
i965
12
Findings
Hypothyroid, PBI <2 yg% March 1965; retardation of growth
preceded these findings by a numberof years. 3/66 growth spurt
and improved appearance on thyroxine.
5 M
17
21
13
I
1965
15
15
3
3
1963.12
196413
69 F
2M
20 M
64 F
16
4
13
l
IZ. —~ hk.
*_ 3
72 Fe
18
42 Fo - 15
12
196414
196512
1965
1965
41
Hypothyroid, PBI <2 ug% March 1965: retardation of growth
preceded these findings by a numberof years. 3, 66 growth spurt
and improved appearance on thyroxine.
Adenomatous goiter; total thyroidectomy, 1964. No recurrence.
Adenomatous goiter; total thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy,
1964. No recurrence.
Adenomatousgoiter, partial thyroidectomy, 1964. No recurrence.
Adenomatousgoiter, partial thyroidectomy, 1965, No recurrence.
‘Adenomatousgoiter, partial thyroidectomy, 1965. No.
Mixed papillary and fellicularcarcinoedit, total ‘hyroid&ctomy-*
surgical and therapeutic radioiodine, 1908lprecurrence.
6 3, 196% 17
Three--mm noduleleft lobe. 9/66 nodule not palpable.
1965=" ~14
Poe
urrence,
Two-mm nodule right lower \obe$/86nodular.yilargement
(“~~i¥2 X normal) entire gland; firm Semntnedule rightiobe.
=
ae
ay
#66 subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatous goiter. “*
61
ar. oe
ES
40.
41
:
1965
19
1965
4s *
45°
4
| %; to 8-mm smooth noduleleft lower pole. 3/66 l-cm
. 7/66 subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatousgoiter.
feft
o-mm neghale right lower pole. 3/66 no nodules detected.
59* F
46
34
1965
54M
13
1
1966
19 M
17
5
196617
36 M
19
7
*71966
19
Slight nodular eniargement, entire gland. |-cm nodule, not clearly
demarcated,at right lower pole. Many tiny nodules over surface
of gland.
ae,
33 F
13
1
1966
13
9/65 questionable irregular gland. 3/66 defini & -mm nodule
left lobe. 7/66 subtotal thyroidectomy: ade params goiter,
Hurthle cell adenoma.
65 F
13
l
1966
13
9/65 questionable small nodule. 3/66 5-mm nodule right lobe.
7/66 right subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatousgoiter.
13
Five-mm nodule midline. 3/66 same. 7/66 subtotal thyroitieds
tomy: adenomatousgoiter.
3
Nodular enlargement (~1'2 X normal) left lobe and ist
with 2-mm firm nodule.
Multinodular soft enlargement entire gland (~1'’ * normal). 1cm nodule right lowerpole.
*Exposed to only 69 rads whole-body radiation and presumably proportionately less thyroid dose.