TriangleFOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING
Radiation therapy to the head and neck increases the risk of thyroid late effects.
Source: Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: February 12, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
The risk of thyroid late effects may be increased in childhood cancer survivors after treatment with:
radiation therapy to the thyroid as part of radiation therapy to the head and neck or to the pituitary gland in the brain
Source links and citations
total-body irradiation or chemotherapy as part of a stem cell transplant
Source links and citations
MIBG (radioactive iodine) therapy for neuroblastoma
Source links and citations
chemotherapy such as alkylating agents, anthracyclines, or bleomycin
Source links and citations
surgery to remove part of the thyroid
The risk also is increased in females, in survivors who were a young age at the time of treatment, in survivors who had a higher radiation dose, and as the time since diagnosis and treatment gets longer. Risk for endocrine problems also depends on the location of the tumor.
Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice