I received this through another list server and thought it should be passed along. I have supplied the whole message to save space, but the information can be found at the link at the end.
-- John
-----Original Message-----
From: Grissom, Mike [mailto:mikeg@slac.stanford.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 11:55 AM
To: 'Medhp-Sec (E-mail)'
Subject: MEDHP-SEC: US NIH FS re: Nasopharyngeal Radium Irradiation
(NRI)----------
Office of Communications
Mass Media Branch
Building 31, Room 10A19
Bethesda, MD 20892
National Institutes of Health:
NCI Press Office (301) 496-6641
News Center
Posted Date: Friday, January 10, 2003
NCI FACT SHEET: Nasopharyngeal Radium Irradiation (NRI)
Key Points
o Nasopharyngeal radium irradiation (NRI) was widely
used from 1940 through 1970 to treat ear
dysfunctions in children and military personnel.
Use of NRI was stopped when concern arose about
possible adverse effects, including cancer.. . .
o Children are considered to be the most vulnerable
to radiation-related cancers.
o At this time, worldwide studies have not confirmed
a definite link between NRI exposure and any
disease.
Background
Nasopharyngeal radium irradiation (NRI) was introduced
in the United States in 1926 as a treatment to shrink
swollen lymphoid tissue in the region of the head near
the back of the nose, especially in children. Through
the 1960s, NRI was considered good medical practice and
effective treatment for a number of medical problems of
the head and neck, such as hearing loss and chronic ear
infections, and for reducing the size of tonsils and
adenoids. Middle ear dysfunctions caused by changes in
air pressure in aviators or submarine personnel were
also treated with NRI.
. . .
----------
The above may be viewed on the NIH Web site at URL:
http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/content_nav.aspx?viewid=d3aafc83! -cbfc-46a8-8ed6-edf5507e4530