Thyroid nodules in the irradiated patient—An indication for total thyroidectomy

Eight patients who received radiation therapy to the head, neck, or chest during infancy, childhood, or adolescence are reported. In these individuals, the presenting abnormality was a nodule of the thyroid gland, which was found to be benign at surgery. All patients were subsequently found to harbor a malignant lesion of the contralateral lobe. On the basis of this study and the discussion presented, we feel that a total thyroidectomy is the indicated therapeutic procedure in previously radiated patients presenting with a cold nodule.