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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
03:55
Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Visualization in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer
Published on: June 9, 2023
Thyroid cancer in children and adolescents
C Ceccarelli1, F Pacini, F Lippi
1Cattedra di Endocrinologia, University of Pisa, Italy.
Surgery
|December 1, 1988
Summary
Thyroid cancer in young patients is often advanced at diagnosis. Effective treatment combines surgery, radioiodine, and suppressive therapy, though surgical complications and lung metastases remain concerns.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Thyroid cancer is rare in patients under 18.
- Pediatric thyroid cancer often presents at an advanced stage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and complications of thyroid cancer in young patients.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of multimodal treatment including surgery, radioiodine, and suppressive therapy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 49 pediatric patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer over 17 years.
- Evaluation of surgical complications, metastasis rates (nodal and lung), and serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels.
- Assessment of treatment response, including radioiodine (131I) therapy and thyroid suppressive therapy.
Main Results:
- Papillary thyroid cancer was most common (44/49).
- 73% had nodal metastases and 6% had lung metastases at diagnosis.
- Multimodal therapy resulted in a 61.1% cure rate in patients followed >4 years; 14 patients had persistent metastases.
- Serum Tg levels decreased significantly after 131I treatment and suppressive therapy.
- High incidence of surgical complications (vocal cord palsy, hypoparathyroidism) and pulmonary issues related to lung metastases were noted.
Conclusions:
- Thyroid cancer in young patients frequently presents with advanced disease and metastases.
- Total thyroidectomy, radioiodine, and suppressive therapy are effective treatments.
- Surgical complications and pulmonary involvement are significant adverse effects requiring careful management.
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