Thyroid Cancer Risk Factors in Children with Thyroid Nodules: A One-Center Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Thyroid nodules are common in adults but rare in children.
• Established diagnostic and treatment protocols for adult thyroid nodules lack pediatric-specific scientific validation.
• There is a need for research into predictive factors for pediatric thyroid cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify predictive factors for thyroid cancer in pediatric patients with thyroid nodules.
• To establish clearer diagnostic procedures for children with thyroid nodules.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 112 children (aged 0.6-18 years) with thyroid nodules diagnosed between 2010 and 2021.
• Histopathological examination of nodules after partial or total thyroidectomy in 37 children.
• Statistical analysis to identify correlations between nodule characteristics and malignancy.

Main Results:

• Benign lesions were found in 57.5% of cases, and malignant lesions in 32.5%.
• Increased nodule diameter (>7 mm) and hypoechogenic ultrasound features were significant predictors of malignancy (p=0.018 and p=0.010, respectively).
• No correlation was observed between increased blood flow and tumor diagnosis. Pediatric thyroid cancer risk was significantly higher than in adults.

Conclusions:

• Nodule size and echogenicity are key indicators for predicting thyroid cancer risk in children.
• Further research is needed to develop specific diagnostic and management guidelines for pediatric thyroid nodules.
• Early identification of risk factors can improve outcomes for children with thyroid cancer.