Recent Advances in Diagnostics and Therapeutics for Paediatric Thyroid Cancer

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Endocrinology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Traditional pediatric thyroid cancer management relied on adult data, often leading to aggressive surgeries and radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy with potential long-term side effects.
• Advances in understanding pediatric tumor biology, diagnostics, and targeted therapies are enabling a more personalized approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent developments in pediatric thyroid cancer biology, diagnosis, and care models.
• To highlight the evolution from generalized to disease-specific management strategies.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of literature published within the last five years.
• Synthesis of information by a multidisciplinary team of pediatric thyroid cancer experts.

Main Results:

• Standardized risk stratification tools for pediatric thyroid nodules on ultrasound are emerging, requiring further validation.
• Somatic and germline gene variants are increasingly crucial for diagnosis, surgical planning, and neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapies.
• Lobectomy may offer comparable outcomes to total thyroidectomy for low-risk cases with fewer complications.
• Molecularly targeted therapies are available for advanced disease, including neoadjuvant debulking and resensitizing RAI-resistant tumors.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric thyroid cancer management is rapidly evolving with the availability of pediatric-specific data.
• Increasing complexity necessitates enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration and shared decision-making in patient care.