Childhood thyroid cancer in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine after Chernobyl and at present

Abstract

Thyroid cancer in children is usually rare, but in the individuals exposed to radiation risk of disease increases considerably. After the Chernobyl accident in 1986, an over 10-fold maximal elevation in the incidence of thyroid cancer was registered about a decade later, cumulatively resulting in more than a thousand of newly diagnosed cases in children who lived in the territories of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine affected by radioactive fallouts. Experience from the epidemic substantially promoted knowledge in clinical pediatric oncology, pathology and basic sciences. This article overviews epidemiology, clinical features, results of treatment and followup of childhood patients with radiation-induced Chernobyl thyroid cancer in comparison to sporadic cases diagnosed at present. In addition, we discuss general issues of pathology and molecular findings in childhood thyroid carcinomas. RESUMOCâncer de Tiróide na Infância na Bielorússia, Rússia, e na Ucrânia, Após Chernobil e Atualmente. O câncer de tiróide é habitualmente raro em crianças, mas em indivíduos expostos a radiação o risco da doença aumenta consideravelmente. Cerca de uma década após o acidente de Chernobil, em 1986, foi registrado um aumento de mais de 10 vezes na incidência de câncer de tiróide, resultando cumulativamente em mais de mil novos casos diagnosticados em crianças que viviam nos territórios da Bielorrússia, Russia, e Ucrânia, afetadas pela chuva radioativa. A experiência com essa epidemia resultou em conhecimento substancial de oncologia pediátrica clínica, patologia e ciências básicas. Este artigo analisa a epidemiologia, os achados clínicos, os resultados do tratamento e a evolução de pacientes pediátricos com câncer de tiróide induzido pela radiação de Chernobil, em comparação com casos esporádicos diagnosticados atualmente. Adicionalmente, serão discutidos tópicos de patologia e achados moleculares no carcinoma de tiróide infantil.

Interactions Between Immune System Parameters and Thyroid Status in People From Radioactive Contaminated Areas by the Conditions of Emotional Stress

“…Зростан-ня концентрації радіоактивного йоду під час аварії на ЧАЕС викликало істотне внутрішнє опромінення, зокрема, при споживанні за-бруднених харчових продуктів, що призвело до розвитку різноманітних тиреоїдних пато-логій серед значних контингентів потерпіло го населення [2,3]. Зокрема, захворюваність на гіпотиреоз у Гомельській області зросла у 7 разів протягом 5 років після катастрофи, на аутоімунний тиреоїдит -у більше ніж 600 разів [4].…”

Lessons From Chernobyl

“…As described above, the increase in thyroid cancer in infants attributed to excess internal exposure to thyroid gland via ingestion of radioiodine immediately after the accident. It is possible to assume that the chronic iodine deficiency at that time further increased the number of sufferers 4) . Additionally, the occurrence frequency of thyroid cancer in infants and the dose of internal exposure to the thyroid gland had positive correlation 4) .…”

“…It is possible to assume that the chronic iodine deficiency at that time further increased the number of sufferers 4) . Additionally, the occurrence frequency of thyroid cancer in infants and the dose of internal exposure to the thyroid gland had positive correlation 4) . It was very fortunate that 99% of patients had good prognosis and survived after the operations.…”

Malignancies after Chernobyl Accident: What Is True and What Is Untrue

“…[20,37], are among reasons why false-positive diagnosis should be precluded. The following treatment was recommended to the children with radiogenic TC: "Total thyroidectomy combined with neck dissections followed by radioiodine ablation" [38]; "Careful and complete removal of the lymph nodes is of great clinical relevance" [39]. External radiotherapy (40 Gy) was applied as well [18].…”