Papillary carcinoma thyroid: FNAC diagnosis

Thyroid carcinoma in children is currently assuming greater importance due to increase incidence in the recent times. In carcinoma thyroid, the age at the time of diagnosis is an important prognostic factor and children in particular are considered to have an excellent prognosis. We came across 3 cases of papillary carcinoma thyroid involving both the lobes and having lymph node metastasis in children, the youngest being 4 years of age at the time of diagnosis. All these cases were diagnosed on aspiration cytology.