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Updated: Mar 28, 2026
Transoral Robotic Total Thyroidectomy and Bilateral Central Regional Lymph Node Dissection for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: September 15, 2023
Surgically Treated Pediatric Nonpapillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Samuel Golpanian1, Jun Tashiro1, Juan E Sola1
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States.
Insights
Pediatric nonpapillary thyroid cancer incidence is low, with females having higher rates but similar survival to males. For medullary thyroid cancer, only disease stage independently predicts survival.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Cancer Epidemiology
Background:
- Pediatric thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is rare, with nonpapillary subtypes requiring specific outcome analysis.
- Understanding survival predictors in pediatric nonpapillary thyroid cancer is crucial for treatment optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To update survival outcomes and identify prognostic factors for pediatric nonpapillary thyroid carcinoma.
- To analyze demographic and clinical characteristics of this rare pediatric cancer population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for pediatric cases (<20 years) of surgically treated nonpapillary thyroid carcinoma (1973-2011).
- Included follicular, medullary, Hürthle-cell, and nonencapsulated sclerosing carcinoma subtypes.
- Analyzed demographics, clinical features, and survival using statistical methods.
Main Results:
- Identified 493 cases; overall incidence was 0.096/100,000 person-years.
- Mean age 15 years; higher incidence in white females aged 15-19 years.
- Overall 30-year survival was 91%, higher in females (94%) and localized disease (92%). Stage was the sole independent predictor for medullary thyroid cancer.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric nonpapillary thyroid cancer has a low incidence.
- Females exhibit higher incidence but comparable survival rates to males.
- Disease stage is the primary independent prognostic indicator for medullary thyroid cancer survival.
Abstract:
Introduction This study aims to update outcomes and predictors of survival on pediatric thyroid carcinoma, specifically examining pediatric patients with nonpapillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent surgical resection. Methods Surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database were searched for pediatric cases (< 20 years old) of surgically treated nonpapillary thyroid carcinoma diagnosed from 1973 to 2011. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and survival outcomes were analyzed using standard statistical methods. All follicular, medullary, Hürthle-cell, and nonencapsulated sclerosing carcinoma types were included. Results A total of 493 cases were identified. The overall incidence was 0.096/100,000 persons per year. The mean age at diagnosis was 15 years and highest incidence was found in whites, females, and patients aged 15 to 19 years. Most patients had localized (60%) or regional disease (35%) and only 38% received radiation (any type). Subtotal/total thyroidectomy was the most common procedure performed (83%) and 47% had lymph node sampling. The most common histologies were follicular (54%) and medullary (28%). Most tumors were > 2cm in size (63%). Overall 30-year survival was 91% but higher for females (94%, p = 0.02) and for local disease (92%). Disease-specific survival was highest for those with no lymph node sampling and negative lymph nodes. On multivariate analysis for medullary type only stage was an independent prognostic indicator of survival. Gender, age, tumor size, histology, and disease extent were not associated with an increased risk of mortality. Conclusions Incidence of pediatric nonpapillary thyroid cancer is low. Females have a higher incidence but similar survival to males. Stage is the only independent prognostic indicator of survival for patients with medullary thyroid cancer.
