J. Robbins et Ab. Schneider, RADIOIODINE-INDUCED THYROID-CANCER - STUDIES IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE ACCIDENT AT CHERNOBYL, Trends in endocrinology and metabolism, 9(3), 1998, pp. 87-94
While a great deal is known about the relationship between external ra
diation exposure and thyroid cancer, much less is known about the onco
genic effects of internal radiation exposure from isotopes of iodine.
The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant released massive qua
ntities of radioiodine isotopes into the atmosphere. The large number
of ensuing thyroid cancers in exposed children leaves little doubt tha
t these malignancies have occurred as a result of the accident. Howeve
r; carefully planned epidemiological studies ave needed to confirm tha
t these ave due predominantly, to I-131 exposure, to determine the dos
e-response relationship, to monitor for continuing effects and to eval
uate other contributing factors. Preliminary evidence indicates that t
here is a distinct pattern of somatic genetic changes in the thyroid c
ancers from the Chernobyl area.