Changing face of paediatric and adolescent thyroid cancer

The aims of our study were to review the Royal Children's Hospital cohort of children having thyroidectomy for thyroid nodules over the last 8 years and to report the changing pattern of thyroid cancer seen in our institution over that time.

We undertook a retrospective case-note review of all patients who underwent thyroid surgery between 1997 and 2004.

Of 69 patients identified, the pathological diagnoses were 51 benign tumours, 14 thyroid cancers and four cases of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, who were treated with prophylactic thyroidectomy. Sixteen of the 69 patients had a history of childhood cancer and 10/16 had cancer treatment which included direct or scatter radiation. Of the 10 patients who received irradiation, four had follicular adenomas and six developed thyroid cancer. All six patients were euthyroid: one patient was presented with a palpable nodule and the other five were detected on surveillance ultrasound.

Our results confirm a high detection of malignancy in thyroid nodules in childhood. Compared to an earlier study at this institution, the number of thyroid malignancies appears to be increasing. Surveillance at the Royal Children's Hospital has changed, with increased long-term cancer survival. Prospective 2-yearly evaluation of those with a past history of radiation exposure has resulted in earlier detection of benign and malignant thyroid lesions. Nodular changes are usually not clinically apparent for many years and lifelong surveillance is necessary for cancer detection in this group.