title: Surveillance following head, neck, and chest radiotherapy: thyroid ultrasound monitoring for secondary thyroid malignancy.
abstract: Children who receive head, neck, or chest radiotherapy for various primary malignancies have increased risk for secondary thyroid malignancy. Thyroid nodules are difficult to identify by physical examination and/or laboratory tests. Thyroid ultrasound can detect non-palpable nodules without adverse side effects. We performed a retrospective chart review of 36 patients who received radiotherapy and underwent thyroid ultrasound. Forty-seven percent (n = 17) had ≥1 nodule(s) detected. Seven patients underwent thyroidectomy; four of whom were diagnosed with thyroid malignancy. Our study suggests routine use of thyroid ultrasound in high-risk patients detects subclinical thyroid nodules and potential thyroid malignancy post-radiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Nationwide Children's Hospital/The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. caitlin.kelly@nationwidechildrens.org
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rivard
authors.forename: Sharad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvi
authors.forename: Ammar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hayani
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Canner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013909:Thorax / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D014463:Ultrasonography