The association of tumors and roentgenray treatment of the thorax in infancy
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Cohort follow-up study evaluating long-term outcomes after infant radiation exposure
OpenAlex W2078201226 · doi:10.1002/1097-0142(195701/02)10:1<42::aid-cncr2820100105>3.0.co;2-0
What was done
The authors investigated late adverse effects, specifically tumor development, in a cohort of individuals who received thoracic roentgen-ray (radiation) therapy during infancy for alleged or prophylactic enlargement of the thymus gland. The abstract reviews the historical context of thymic irradiation and the limitations of previous small follow-up studies.
What was found
The abstract provides background context and critiques earlier literature but reports no numerical data, risk estimates, or specific findings from the authors' own investigation.
Why it matters
Thoracic radiation was widely administered to infants in the early 20th century under the superseded concept of status thymicolymphaticus; systematic follow-up studies were critical to identifying subsequent radiation-induced malignancies.
Limits
The provided abstract excerpt does not report sample size, duration of follow-up, comparison groups, or tumor incidence rates. Historical exposure parameters and clinical indications were heterogeneous and poorly standardized.
Cited by
- supports Between the 1910s and 1940s, infants routinely underwent thymus irradiation to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (status thymicolymphaticus), causing thousands of subsequent cancer deaths.