Research advances in radiation exposure and the risk of thyroid cancer / 中国辐射卫生

ABSTRACT

The thyroid gland is highly sensitive to the carcinogenic effects of radiation exposure during childhood and adolescence. Epidemiological data have shown that exposure to ionizing radiation during childhood and adolescence results in an increased risk of thyroid cancer, and most cases of radiation-induced thyroid cancer are diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma. The risk of radiation-induced thyroid cancer is affected by radiation dose, age, latency period, iodine status, chemotherapy, and body mass index. Therefore, proper use of physical shielding and prompt administration of stable iodine can be adopted to minimize the risk of radiation-induced thyroid cancer.