Benign thyroid tumors: general risk factors and their effects on radiation risk estimation

The authors examined risk factors for benign thyroid nodules and their influence on radiation effects among 544 subjects who were exposed to childhood radiation treatment for benign head and neck conditions at a Chicago, Illinois hospital during 1939-1962. In follow-up through 1991, benign thyroid nodules were diagnosed in 131 patients. The risk of benign nodules was elevated in women (relative risk (RR) = 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-3.2), Jews (RR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5), college graduates (RR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.8), and subjects whose mother had cancer (RR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5). There were increasing trends for risk with increasing body mass index in women and decreasing height in men. Risk was increased for women who never married (RR = 3.7, 95% CI 1.6-7.3) or who never had a full-term pregnancy (RR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.3). A significant radiation dose-response relationship was observed that was not modified by sex, education, Jewish religion, or reproductive factors. The data suggest that there are genetic, life-style (including ascertainment), and hormonal factors associated with the development of benign thyroid nodules.