Title: Radiation-induced thyroid cancer: what we know and what we really understand

Authors: E.M. Parshkov, V.A. Sokolov, A.F. Tsyb, A.D. Proshin, J.G. Barnes

Addresses: Medical Radiological Research Center of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Korolev Str. 4, Obninsk 249020, Russia. ' Medical Radiological Research Center of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Korolev Str. 4, Obninsk 249020, Russia. ' Medical Radiological Research Center of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Korolev Str. 4, Obninsk 249020, Russia. ' Bryansk Regional Treatment and Diagnosis Center, Bezhitskaja Str. 2, Bryansk 241007, Russia. ' Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education, 4801 Wilshire, Blvd-Suite 215, Los Angeles, CA 90010, USA

Abstract: Results of the analysis of our own and literature data on the occurrence and development of radiation-induced thyroid cancer are presented. The analysis involved the distribution of the thyroid cancer incidence among 1 million children and 3 million adults, by age and sex, living in the radioactively contaminated territories of Russia; published data of the United Thyroid Cancer Registry of Russia and Byelorussia; results of medical examinations of the populations; and other information. Main attention was paid to the understanding of the latency period of spontaneous and radiation-induced cancers, comparison of oncopathology features in children and adults, and the role of screening in the increase of incidence rate parameters. The analysis permitted an offering of a new interpretation of several previously known facts and the developing of new explanations regarding the induction and development of radiogenic thyroid cancer, particularly regarding a far more significant increase of the thyroid cancer incidence in adults, living in the contaminated territories, than has been considered earlier.

Keywords: Chernobyl accident; thyroid cancer; children; adults; radiation; latency period; oncopathology; screening.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLR.2004.005425

International Journal of Low Radiation, 2004 Vol.1 No.3, pp.267 - 278

Published online: 01 Oct 2004 *

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