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Surgical experience in children with differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Jan Willem Haveman1, Karin M van Tol, Catrienus W Rouwé
1Department of Surgical Oncology, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Annals of Surgical Oncology
|January 7, 2003
Summary
Aggressive surgical treatment, including total thyroidectomy and modified radical neck dissection, is recommended for differentiated thyroid cancer in children. This approach yields excellent results with low recurrence and complication rates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
Background:
- Optimal surgical treatment for pediatric differentiated thyroid carcinoma is debated.
- This study evaluates surgical experience and literature data to determine the most effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the most adequate surgical treatment for children with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
- To compare surgical outcomes with existing literature data.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 21 children diagnosed with differentiated thyroid carcinoma before age 18.
- All patients underwent total thyroidectomy and radioiodine therapy as initial treatment.
- Comparison of results with relevant literature data.
Main Results:
- 52% of patients had cervical lymph node metastases and underwent modified radical neck dissection.
- Pulmonary metastases were present at diagnosis in 3 patients.
- Median follow-up was 11 years, with a 10% recurrence rate and no deaths.
Conclusions:
- Total thyroidectomy, modified radical neck dissection (if needed), and iodine-131 ablation are recommended for pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer.
- An aggressive surgical approach is justified due to high nodal involvement and low complication rates.
- Excellent outcomes were observed without increased complications in aggressively treated patients.