Thyroid Cancer and Nuclear Accidents

Thirty Years After Chernobyl and 5 After Fukushima—What Have We Learnt and What Do We Still Need to Know?

• Introduction
• The Relationship Between Dose and Response
• Dose and Health Risks Associated With Radiation Exposure
• What Have We Learnt From Chernobyl?
• What Should We Learn From Fukushima?
• Acknowledgments
• References

Part I: Overview: Keynote Lectures

Chapter 1. Thirty Years After Chernobyl—Overview of the Risks of Thyroid Cancer, Based Upon the UNSCEAR Scientific Reports (2008–2012)

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Dose and Risk Assessment Methodologies
• Evidence on Thyroid Exposure and Cancer Risk After the Chernobyl Accident
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• References
• Further Reading

Chapter 2. Thirty Years After the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Accident: Contribution From Japan—“Confirming the Increase of Childhood Thyroid Cancer”

• Abstract
• The Initial Circumstances of the Chernobyl NPP Accident
• The Era of Analyzing Authenticity and Cause of Increased Childhood Thyroid Cancer Around Chernobyl
• The Fukushima Health Management Survey With Regard to Thyroid Ultrasound Examinations
• Summary
• References

Chapter 3. From Chernobyl to Fukushima and Beyond—A Focus on Thyroid Cancer

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Fukushima is Not Chernobyl
• Much is Known about Radiation-Induced Thyroid Cancer
• Radiation Dose to the Public From the Fukushima Reactor Accident is Tiny
• Surveys Are Not Scientific Studies
• Mental Health Problems Are an Immediate Effect From the Fukushima Accident
• Excess Thyroid Cancers From Screening Are an Artifact and Not Radiation-Related
• Conclusions
• References

Chapter 4. Reassessing the Capability to Attribute Pediatric Thyroid Cancer to Radiation Exposure: The FHMS Experience

• Abstract
• Introduction
• The Fukushima Thyroid Question
• UNSCEAR Judgment on Attributability
• Specific Difficulties for Attributing Pediatric Cancers to Radiation
• Questioning the Predictions on Attribution
• The Consequences of Erroneous Attribution
• Conclusion: New Lights on Attribution From the FHMS Findings
• References
• Further Reading

Part II: Chernobyl + 30

Chapter 5. Post-Chernobyl Pediatric Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Belarus: Histopathological Features, Treatment Strategy, and Long-Term Outcome

• Abstract
• Post-Chernobyl Pediatric Thyroid Cancer
• Conclusion
• References

Chapter 6. Clinical Aspects of Pediatric Thyroid Cancer and Follow-Up of Patients in Belarus Following the Chernobyl Accident

• Abstract
• Method
• Results
• Discussion
• References

Chapter 7. Long-Term Analysis of the Incidence and Histopathology of Thyroid Cancer in Ukraine in Adult Patients Who Were Children and Adolescents at the Time of the Chernobyl Accident

• Abstract
• Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• Acknowledgments
• References

Chapter 8. Thyroid Cancer Risk in Ukraine Following the Chernobyl Accident (The Ukrainian–American Cohort Thyroid Study)

• Abstract
• Introduction
• The Cohort
• Screening Procedures
• Dosimetry
• Findings and Discussion
• References

Chapter 9. Results of the Thyroid Cancer Epidemiological Survey in Russia Following the Chernobyl Accident

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Assessment of the Risk of Thyroid Cancer and the Effects of Screening in the Cohort Drawn From the Russian Population Exposed to Radiation Following the Chernobyl Accident
• Registration of Thyroid Cancer in Children Exposed to Radiation Due to the Fukushima Daiichi NPP Accident
• Conclusions
• References

Chapter 10. Influence of Radiation Exposure and Ultrasound Screening on the Clinical Behavior of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Young Patients

• Abstract
• Patients
• Study Design
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusions
• References

Chapter 11. Results of Treatment in Children and Adolescents With Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma Not Exposed and Exposed to Radiation From the Chernobyl Accident

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Materials and Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• References
• Further Reading

Chapter 12. Somatic Genomics of Childhood Thyroid Cancer

• Abstract
• Somatic Genomics of Young-Onset Papillary Thyroid Cancer
• Studies on MAP Kinase Pathway Activation
• DNA Copy Number Alterations
• Gene Expression
• Summary
• References
• Further Reading

Part III: Fukushima + 5

Chapter 13. A Review of Studies on Thyroid Dose Estimation After the Fukushima Accident

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Estimation by International Organizations
• Estimation Reported by Japanese Research Groups
• Summary
• References

Chapter 14. Five-Year Interim Report of Thyroid Ultrasound Examinations in the Fukushima Health Management Survey

• Abstract
• Background
• Interim Report of First- and Second-Round Thyroid Ultrasound Examinations
• Dose Estimation and Thyroid Cancer Detection in the Early Phase After the Accident
• Cancer Driver Gene Mutation Profile
• Thyroid Cancer Screening and Potential Overdiagnosis
• Summary
• References

Chapter 15. The Features of Childhood and Adolescent Thyroid Cancer After the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Accident

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgment
• References

Chapter 16. Psychosocial Impact of the Thyroid Examination of the Fukushima Health Management Survey

• Abstract
• Thyroid Cancer Screening Following the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Accident
• Potential Benefits and Harms of Thyroid Cancer Screening
• Issues of Thyroid Ultrasound Examinations in the Fukushima Health Management Survey
• Addressing Psychosocial Issues Arising From Thyroid Examinations in Fukushima
• Challenges for Making Thyroid Examinations Acceptable to Residents, and Future Perspectives
• References

Chapter 17. Thyroid Cancer Screening and Overdiagnosis in Korea

• Abstract
• Increasing Incidence of Thyroid Cancer
• Thyroid Nodules and Thyroid Cancer
• Evidence for the Increased Incidence of Thyroid Cancer Being a Result of Increased Detection
• Thyroid Cancer Incidence and Overdiagnosis in Korea
• Conclusion
• References

Chapter 18. Management of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Japan

• Abstract
• Traditional Management of Patients with PTC in Japan
• Risk-Adapted Management of PTC Based on Risk-Group Classification System
• Management of Papillary Microcarcinoma
• Management Policy of Low-Risk PTC in Japan
• Acknowledgment
• References

Part IV: International Report

Chapter 19. UNSCEAR Activities Related to the 2011 Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident

• Abstract
• Background to UNSCEAR
• UNSCEAR 2013 Report on the Levels and Effects of Exposure After the Accident
• Follow-Up to the 2013 Report
• Relevance of Outreach Activities
• Fukushima Compared With Chernobyl
• Conclusion
• References
• Further Reading

Chapter 20. The Radiological Consequences of the Fukushima Dai’ichi NPP Accident: Estimates From the Group of Experts Convened by the International Atomic Energy Agency

• Abstract
• Introduction
• The IAEA Report
• Estimates of the Radiological Consequences
• Conclusion
• References