The authors present case-histories of two patients with thyroid carcinoma, who were subjected to actinotherapy during childhood. The patient whose cranium was irradiated on account of lymphatic leukaemia at the age of 8 years and at the age of 12 years the left testis on account of a late organ metastasis, developed at the age of 21 the follicular variant of thyroid papillocarcinoma. In a patient who was irradiated at the age of 2 years on the neck on account of a malignant lymphoma of the verrucose process of the petrous bone at the age of 11 years a follicular carcinoma of the thyroid gland was diagnosed. The described case-records provide further evidence of the etiopathogenetic effect of irradiation of the head and neck on the development of thyroid malignities. The authors also draw attention to the necessity of early endocrinological check-up in risk patients.

        Key words: actinotherapy of head and neck, follicular and papillary thyroid carcinoma