Radiation and thyroid carcinoma: radiotherapy, head and neck regions, thyroid carcinoma

Radiotherapy for benign conditions of the head and neck area was first linked to thyroid carcinoma in 1950. All the salivary glands, the parathyroids, and the facial skin can also develop neoplastic lesions in this setting. Thyroid carcinoma is most commonly papillary or mixed papillary and follicular. It is very often multifocal and can be detected by hand palpation, nuclear scanning, high resolution sonography, and needle aspiration. Each test has its limitations and appropriate protocols for screening and detection should be adapted to different medical centers. The surgical management is controversial and ranges from simple lobectomy to total thyroidectomy with adjuvant 131I treatment and thyroid suppression. We prefer total thyroidectomy if it can be performed safely. With adequate treatment the survival should be good. Prevention by administration of iodine at the time of exposure to radiation seems feasible and deserves further clinical trial.