Resultados finales del programa cubano con niños de territorios afectados por el accidente de Chernóbil / Final results of the Cuban program for children from areas affected by the Chernobyl accident

RESUMEN Cuba organizó y desarrolló desde 1990 hasta 2011 un programa de atención médica integral masivo y gratuito destinado a niños de áreas afectadas por el accidente de Chernóbil. Este trabajo recoge los resultados finales de este programa, al cual estuvieron vinculados cientos de trabajadores de la salud y la ciencia en Cuba y que permitió, durante más de 21 años, que se trataran y rehabilitaran en la isla un total de 26 114 pacientes, el 84 % de los cuales eran niños, procedentes fundamentalmente de Ucrania, Rusia y Bielorrusia. Se presentan también otros aspectos de la colaboración médica desarrollada en territorio ucraniano, así como los resultados esenciales de la evaluación del impacto radiológico del accidente en los niños que recibieron asistencia médica en nuestro país.

ABSTRACT From 1990 till 2011, a free health care program for children from areas affected by the Chernobyl accident was organized and implemented by the Cuban Government.. A significant number of qualified personal in medicine and science collaborated with this program. The information gathered for more than 21 years and the conclusive results obtained in the program are presented here. During this time, 26 114 patients, 84 % children, mostly from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus were treated in the mentioned program. Other aspects of the Cuban medical assistance in Ukraine and the main results obtained in the radiological impact evaluation of the accident on the children treated in Cuba are also included.

Resultados finales del programa cubano con niños de territorios afectados por el accidente de Chernóbil / Final results of the Cuban program for children from areas affected by the Chernobyl accident

Cuba organizó y desarrolló desde 1990 hasta 2011 un programa de atención médica integral masivo y gratuito destinado a niños de áreas afectadas por el accidente de Chernóbil. Este trabajo recoge los resultados finales de este programa, al cual estuvieron vinculados cientos de trabajadores de la salud y la ciencia en Cuba y que permitió, durante más de 21 años, que se trataran y rehabilitaran en la isla un total de 26 114 pacientes, el 84 % de los cuales eran niños, procedentes fundamentalmente de Ucrania, Rusia y Bielorrusia. Se presentan también otros aspectos de la colaboración médica desarrollada en territorio ucraniano, así como los resultados esenciales de la evaluación del impacto radiológico del accidente en los niños que recibieron asistencia médica en nuestro país

From 1990 till 2011, a free health care program for children from areas affected by the Chernobyl accident was organized and implemented by the Cuban Government. A significant number of qualified personal in medicine and science collaborated with this program. The information gathered for more than 21 years and the conclusive results obtained in the program are presented here. During this time, 26 114 patients, 84 % children, mostly from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus were treated in the mentioned program. Other aspects of the Cuban medical assistance in Ukraine and the main results obtained in the radiological impact evaluation of the accident on the children treated in Cuba are also included

Tecnología nuclear: una historia de Catástrofes y progresos / Nuclear technology: a history of catastrophes and progresses

La presión científica alimentada por los diversos intereses geopolíticos de la primera mitad del siglo XX, fue sin duda el motor de impulso necesario para la investigación y el desarrollo de la tecnología nuclear. Una vez superada la crisis desencadenada por la Segunda Guerra Mundial, el conocimiento obtenido sobre los generadores atómicos aplicados a las necesidades civiles, no demoro en consolidar la energía nuclear como una opción futurista a la previsible escasez mundial de combustible. Es por eso, que el átomo se presento como una carta maestra para la seguridad, energía, economía, desarrollo y el cuidado ambiental. Sin embargo, pese a los controles para limitar su desarrollo como elemento militar, esta “panacea” no carece de generar dudas sobre su costo/beneficio. La historia relata algunos acontecimientos relacionados con dichos generadores, que han causado daños irreparables de manera inmediata y a largo plazo en el medio ambiente y en las poblaciones aledañas a aquellas estructuras. En el siguiente informe, se elabora una recopilación sobre el historial de eventos relacionados con el desarrollo de tecnología atómica, así como de la situación mundial de la energía nuclear...

Research and development of nuclear technology were done by a science under pressure of the geopolitical interests in the first half of the 20th century. Once the crisis triggered by the World War II passed, the knowledge gained about atomic generators applied to civilian needs, was able to quickly consolidate nuclear energy as a futuristic option for the global fuel shortage. At the same time, the atom was presented as a trump card for security, energetic, economic, and environmental development. However, despite the controls to limit its expansion as a military weapon, this “panacea” does not lack of doubts its costs versus its benefits. History can tell some events related to these generators, which have caused irreparable damage in their surrounding environment and nearby towns immediately and in a long term. In the following report, a review if the history of events related to the development of nuclear technology is made, as well as the overall situation of nuclear power worldwide...

Childhood thyroid cancer in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine after Chernobyl and at present

Thyroid cancer in children is usually rare, but in the individuals exposed to radiation risk of disease increases considerably. After the Chernobyl accident in 1986, an over 10-fold maximal elevation in the incidence of thyroid cancer was registered about a decade later, cumulatively resulting in more than a thousand of newly diagnosed cases in children who lived in the territories of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine affected by radioactive fallouts. Experience from the epidemic substantially promoted knowledge in clinical pediatric oncology, pathology and basic sciences. This article overviews epidemiology, clinical features, results of treatment and follow-up of childhood patients with radiation-induced Chernobyl thyroid cancer in comparison to sporadic cases diagnosed at present. In addition, we discuss general issues of pathology and molecular findings in childhood thyroid carcinomas.

O câncer de tiróide é habitualmente raro em crianças, mas em indivíduos expostos a radiação o risco da doença aumenta consideravelmente. Cerca de uma década após o acidente de Chernobil, em 1986, foi registrado um aumento de mais de 10 vezes na incidência de câncer de tiróide, resultando cumulativamente em mais de mil novos casos diagnosticados em crianças que viviam nos territórios da Bielorrússia, Russia, e Ucrânia, afetadas pela chuva radioativa. A experiência com essa epidemia resultou em conhecimento substancial de oncologia pediátrica clínica, patologia e ciências básicas. Este artigo analisa a epidemiologia, os achados clínicos, os resultados do tratamento e a evolução de pacientes pediátricos com câncer de tiróide induzido pela radiação de Chernobil, em comparação com casos esporádicos diagnosticados atualmente. Adicionalmente, serão discutidos tópicos de patologia e achados moleculares no carcinoma de tiróide infantil.