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Thyroid carcinoma in children and adolescents
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pa, USA.
Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Pediatric thyroid carcinoma often presents as an asymptomatic mass. Surgical management including total thyroidectomy and neck dissection, followed by radioablation, leads to excellent outcomes for children with this cancer.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Thyroid carcinoma in pediatric and adolescent populations requires specific clinical and surgical considerations.
- Understanding the presentation patterns is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical presentation of thyroid carcinoma in pediatric and adolescent patients.
- To establish a surgical management strategy grounded in oncologic principles for this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pediatric and adolescent patients diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma.
- Evaluation of clinical presentation, metastatic patterns, and treatment outcomes.
- Surgical management included total thyroidectomy and selective neck dissection.
Main Results:
- Over half of pediatric patients (55%) presented with an asymptomatic thyroid mass.
- Lymphatic metastasis was observed in 12 of 26 patients.
- No recurrences were noted with cervical lymphadenectomy and/or postoperative radioablative therapy.
Conclusions:
- Thyroid carcinoma in children has an excellent prognosis, even with advanced disease.
- Recommended surgical approach: total thyroidectomy with selective neck dissection for metastatic disease.
- Postoperative management includes nuclear scintigraphy, radioablation, and thyroid suppression/replacement therapy.