Incidence of Leukemia Following Treatment of Hyperthyroidism

16 September 1968

journal article
research article
Published by American Medical Association (AMA)

Vol. 205 (12) , 855-862
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1968.03140380059014

Abstract

This study was conducted to test for an increase in the incidence of leukemia in hyperthyroid patients treated by radioactive iodine¹³¹I as compared to the incidence in patients treated differently. Of 36,000 patients from 26 medical centers, approximately 22,000 were treated with¹³¹I and about 14,000 were treated surgically or solely with antithyroid drugs. More than 96% of patients were followed up. Forty-four cases of leukemia occurred after, and 16 before, treatment. The incidence of leukemia in patients treated with¹³¹I for hyperthyroidism and the incidence in those treated surgically do not differ. Patients both undergoing surgery and receiving¹³¹I have a higher incidence of leukemia than any other treatment group. The observed mortality from leukemia for hyperthyroid patients is 50% higher than that of the US population.

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