[Thyroid dysfunction following external irradiation of the neck].

Thyroid function after radiation therapy to the neck was studied in 120 patients, 110 of whom were suffered from malignant lymphomas. No patients had clinical symptoms from thyroid dysfunction, but 9 patients were given thyroid hormone after examination of thyroid function test. TSH elevation rate for 95 patients irradiated to the hole neck by dosage was 0%, 24%, 47% and 47%, for less than 30 Gy, 30-39 Gy, 40-49 Gy and 50 Gy or more, respectively. The effects of lymphangiography and systemic combination chemotherapy on the thyroid function were also discussed.