Association of thyroid carcinoma with malignant lymphoma.

Radiation-associated thyroid carcinoma is of clinical importance in modern radiation therapy of both Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), because anatomically the thyroid is often in the radiation field. We have reviewed the records of HD and NHL patients seen at Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) between 1910 and 1960 to determine associated occurrence of thyroid cancer. Radiation therapy was the major therapeutic modality with the occasional use of single agent chemotherapy with nitrogen mustard, triethylene melamine (TEM), chlorambucil and prednisone.

Suppressive therapy for postirradiation thyroid nodules.

From the thyroid screening program at the Roswell Park Memorial Institute in Buffalo, New York, 85 patients with thyroid nodules who had received previous irradiation to the head and neck were identified. The diagnosis was confirmed microscopically by needle aspiration cytology and the patients were treated with thyroid replacement therapy. In 24 patients, the nodules disappeared completely; a partial response (more than 50% reduction in size) was seen in 26; 11 patients were improved (20% to 50% reduction in size); 14 had stable disease (less than 20% reduction in nodule size) and in 10 the condition progressed (an increase of more than 20% in nodule size).

Radiation-associated thyroid carcinoma.

Since February, 1977, 735 patients having a history of receiving radiation therapy for benign conditions of the head and neck areas during infancy and childhood were examined in a thyroid screening program, and 159 patients were found to have palpable thyroid nodules. These patients had thyroid function tests and indirect laryngoscopy and were followed closely on suppression therapy consisting of either Cytomel or thyroid extract. Thyroidectomy was advised in those in whom the nodules persisted or increased in size.

Hypercalcemia complicating childhood malignancies: a report of seven cases with some pathophysiological considerations.

A group of seven children with different malignant processes presenting with hypercalcemia was studied. Bone destruction, diffuse metabolic abnormalities, abnormal acid-base homeostasis and recurrent hypercalcemia characterized these patients. A different mechanism leading to the production of hypercalcemia and/or bone destruction by cancer cells is considered.