[Therapeutic approach of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in children and adolescents]

Diferentiated thyroid cancer is uncommon in children and adolescents. It presents as a solitary thyroid nodule, as multinodular goiter, or as a neck mass that is noted accidentally by the patient, the family or by the physician. Surgery is the treatment of choice and most of the specialists consider that total thyroidectomy with central cervical lymph nodes dissection must be applied in all patients. Some specialists prefer a more conservative surgical treatment in order to avoid complications. Postoperatively, ablation treatment with iodine-131, for the eradication of the remaining normal or malignant thyroid tissue is indicated in the majority of patients. Thyroid hormone is administered for life. Follow-up is continued for many years.