BANICE M. WEBBER, M.D.
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Thyroid cancer as a late consequence of head and neck irradiation has been reported frequently. These reports have identified radiation as the carcinogenic agent producing thyroid cancer in adults who were exposed in infancy. Most of these papers have focused on radiation administered for thymic "enlargement" or for hyperplasia of the tonsils and adenoids. It is generally unappreciated by physical that during the two decades from 1920 to 1940, hundreds of children received potentially carcinogenic doses of radiation therapy to the thorax for whopping cough.
A review of the Quarterly Cumulative Index Medicus from 1920 to 1935 indicates the publication
WEBBER BM. Radiation Therapy for Pertussis: A Possible Etiologic Factor in Thyroid Carcinoma. Ann Intern Med. 1977;86:449–450. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-86-4-449
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Published: Ann Intern Med. 1977;86(4):449-450.
Endocrine and Metabolism, Endocrine Cancer, Hematology/Oncology, Infectious Disease, Pulmonary/Critical Care.
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Print ISSN: 0003-4819 | Online ISSN: 1539-3704
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