Neoplasia in Children Treated with X-Rays in Infancy for Thymic Enlargement

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Abstract
A high incidence of malignant neoplasias (17 cases) has been observed in a group of 1400 children treated for thymic enlargement with X-rays during the years 1925-1951. The neoplasias include 7 cases of leukemia and 6 of thyroid carcinoma. While the data presented establish the high incidence of cancer following thymic irradiation, they allow no definite conclusions to be drawn as to the relationship to radiation exposures. It is possible that children'' with thymic enlargement may be more prone than normal to development of leukemia. Consideration of the etiologic importance of irradiation is postponed pending establishment of an adequate control series.