The International Journal of Cancer recently reported on research coming out of the British Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (BCCSS). The study looked at the risk of thyroid cancers in children treated for other cancers.88% of thyroid cancers developed after exposure to radiotherapy that occurred in or around the thyroid gland. The risk of thyroid cancer was highest after Hodgkin's disease and Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
Patients treated with radiation therapy for childhood cancer had a greater than fourfold increased risk of developing thyroid cancer, according to the researchers.
Overall, the research showed that childhood cancer survivors are 18 times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than members of the general population.
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Source: Taylor Aliki J. et. al. "Risk of thyroid cancer in survivors of childhood cancer: Results from the British Childhood Cancer Survivor Study," International Journal of Cancer, Volume 125 Issue 10, Pages 2400 - 2405, Published Online: 18 May 2009, Issue November 15, 2009 Abstract
Right–but this is with regard to radiation therapy for treatment of childhood cancer. Any stats regarding chemotherapy (only) for childhood cancer? My daughter had 2 brain surgeries for recurrent pilocytic astrocytomas, starting at age 10, and her second surgery was followed up by 15 mos. of chemotherapy. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease 3 yrs. ago. Does my daughter’s chemo put her at even greater risk to develop thyroid cancer?