Thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer after radiotherapy in patients with Hodgkin's disease

Purpose: To estimate the influence of the age in which the patient was treated, and the total dose of irradiation on subsequent development of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer in Hodgkin lymphoma patients. Material and methods: In 349 patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (90 children and 259 adults) the thyroid was examined during the radiation therapy and then annually. Physical examination, definition of serum TTG, thyroid hormones level (T4, T3) and thyroid sonography were performed. Median time of observation was 8.5 years (1-23 years). Results: The thyroid nodules was revealed in 60 (18%) patients: 11 children (12%) and 49 adults (19%) at various terms after treatment. Thyroid cancer was revealed in 7 (7.8%) children and in 1 (0.34%) adult. The patients 12-28 years of age have the risk of thyroid cancer. Conclusion: The radiation therapy of Hodgkin lymphoma induce the thyroid cancer authentically more often at the children, than at the adult patients. The risk factors are the age, in which the patient was irradiated, and the total dose of irradiation. Children with thyroid nodules have the highest risk of thyroid cancer.