| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
ORIGINAL ARTICLES |
From the Departments of Surgical Oncology (JWH, JTMP), Internal Medicine (KMVT), Paediatrics (CWR), and Nuclear Medicine (DAP), University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Correspondence: Address correspondence and reprint requests to: J. T. M. Plukker, MD, PhD, Department of Surgical Oncology, University Hospital Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands; Fax: 31-50-361-4873; E-mail: j.th.plukker{at}chir.azg.nl
Background: The optimal surgical treatment in children with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma remains an important point of discussion. In this study, we evaluated our surgical experience and reviewed the literature accordingly to identify the most adequate treatment.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 21 children, all under the age of 18 years at the time of diagnosis, with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (17 papillary, 3 follicular, and 1 Hürthle cell carcinoma). Total thyroidectomy was performed, followed by radioiodine therapy, as a part of the initial treatment in all patients. The results were compared with data from the literature.
Results: Eleven children (52%) who presented with cervical lymph node metastases were treated by a modified radical neck dissection. Pulmonary metastases were seen at diagnosis in three patients. Six patients developed temporary complications. During follow-up, with a median of 11 years (range, 2–26 years), two patients (10%) developed recurrences, and no patient died during this observation period. A literature search confirmed our experience of excellent results without an increase of complications in the more aggressively treated patients.
Conclusions: In children with differentiated thyroid cancer, treatment should consist of total thyroidectomy, followed by a modified radical neck dissection (when indicated) and iodine-131 ablation treatment. This aggressive approach seems to be justified because of the high incidence of nodal involvement and the low complication and recurrence rate after surgery.
Key Words: Differentiated thyroid carcinoma • Treatment • Surgery • Childhood
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  A. Corrias, A. Cassio, G. Weber, A. Mussa, M. Wasniewska, A. Rapa, R. Gastaldi, S. Einaudi, F. Baronio, M. C. Vigone, et al. Thyroid Nodules and Cancer in Children and Adolescents Affected by Autoimmune Thyroiditis Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, June 1, 2008; 162(6): 526 - 531. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. Handkiewicz-Junak, J. Wloch, J. Roskosz, J. Krajewska, A. Kropinska, L. Pomorski, A. Kukulska, A. Prokurat, Z. Wygoda, and B. Jarzab Total Thyroidectomy and Adjuvant Radioiodine Treatment Independently Decrease Locoregional Recurrence Risk in Childhood and Adolescent Differentiated Thyroid Cancer J. Nucl. Med., June 1, 2007; 48(6): 879 - 888. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B Jarzab, D Handkiewicz-Junak, and J Wloch Juvenile differentiated thyroid carcinoma and the role of radioiodine in its treatment: a qualitative review Endocr. Relat. Cancer, December 1, 2005; 12(4): 773 - 803. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. D. Ringel and M. A. Levine Current Therapy for Childhood Thyroid Cancer: Optimal Surgery and the Legacy of King Pyrrhus Ann. Surg. Oncol., January 1, 2003; 10(1): 4 - 6. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
