[Differentiated thyroid cancer in children: a series of 29 cases]

To explore the best administration for the differentiated thyroid cancer in children under 14 years by reviewing of their clinical characteristics, treatment methods and results.

Clinical data of 29 patients under 14 years with differentiated thyroid cancer in Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine between January 1998 and July 2014 were reviewed respectively.

Neck mass was the chief complaint in 27 of 29 patients. Unilateral thyroid carcinoma was found in 16 cases, and bilateral in 13 cases. Solid tumor with multiple punctate calcification was observed in 21 cases (72.4%). Cervical lymph nodes enlargement was found in 24 cases (82.8%), and 15 cases (62.5%) were bilateral. Among 20 patients received primary thyroid surgery in our hospital, 18 cases presented with T2 or advanced diseases and 16 cases had cervical lymph nodes enlargement. The resection of unilateral lobe with isthmus was performed in 2 cases, and total thyroidectomy in 18 patients, including 1 case with partial trachea resection. Neck dissection was performed in 16 patients. Of 9 patients received primary thyroid surgery in other hospitals, 8 cases presented with cervical lymph node enlargement after surgery and 6 cases with pulmonary metastasis, of them 5 patients received neck dissection, 4 patients underwent resection of residual thyroid cancer plus neck dissection. Twenty-seven of all patients were treated postoperatively with 131I. All patients received follow-up, and the meaning follow-up time was 6 years and 10 months (0.5 years-16 years). No cases with death, local recurrence, and metastasis were observed in the follow-up period.

Differentiated thyroid cancer is more invasive in children compared with adults. Comprehensive treatment including total thyroidectomy, neck dissection and postoperative 131I therapy may be a basic approach for the differentiated thyroid cancer in children.