A 22-year-old woman goes to her physician for a routine examination. A palpable nodule is found in the right lobe of her thyroid
gland. No lymphadenopathy is noted. A chest x-ray shows no masses. A fine needle aspirate of the nodule is performed and cytologic examination reveals cells present consistent with a papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. There are no other family members affected by this disorder. She works as a secretary for an accounting firm part time and is earning a college degree. Which of the following findings would you consider most relevant in her past history to indicate a risk factor for this neoplasm? A Chronic alcoholism
B Radiation therapy in childhood
C Ataxia telangiectasia
D Blunt trauma from a fall
E Exposure to arsenic compounds
