Differentiated thyroid cancer: clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome in patients under 21 years of age who present with distant metastases. A report from the Surgical Discipline Committee of the Children's Cancer Group

Survival Trends in Pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Middle Eastern Perspective

Pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (pedDTC) is a rare pediatric malignancy with an increasing incidence over time. To date, there is a paucity of literature specifically addressing pedDTC within the context of Middle Eastern ethnicity. This retrospective study aimed to assess the risk-stratifying factors for overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) in pediatric DTC patients from Iraq and Jordan. The medical records of 81 patients from two tertiary cancer institutes were retrieved. Kaplan-Meier analysis was employed to investigate OS and EFS, and the Cox proportional hazards model was employed to estimate hazard ratios. All patients underwent surgery and radioactive iodine therapy, with a median age of 14 and an interquartile range of 12-15. Lymph node involvement was observed in 55% of cases, while distant metastases were present in 13.5%. After a median follow-up period of 68 months, the 10-year survival rate was determined to be 94%, while the 10-year EFS rate was 58%. EFS was negatively impacted by cervical lymph node metastases and early age of diagnosis (p ≤ 0.01, each). Therefore, pediatrics with initial cervical lymph node metastases and those diagnosed before puberty tend to experience poorer EFS, which may justify the need for more aggressive management plans.

Imaging of Pediatric Cervical Lymphadenopathy

There is a wide variety of disease entities in children, which can present with cervical adenopathy. The spectrum of pathology and imaging appearance differs in many cases from that seen in adults. This review aims to compare the strengths and limitations of the various imaging modalities available to image pediatric patients presenting with cervical adenopathy, provide guidance on when to image, and highlight the imaging appearance of both common and uncommon disorders affecting the cervical nodes in children to aid the radiologist in their clinical practice.

Complications of Thyroid Cancer Surgery in Pediatric Patients at a Tertiary Cancer Center

BACKGROUND

The incidence of complications and risk factors for hypocalcemia after pediatric thyroid cancer surgery has not been clearly defined in the literature because most reports fail to distinguish between benign and malignant disease. The trend away from total thyroidectomy (TT) to thyroid lobectomy in low-risk disease means there is a need to clearly define the complication profile of malignant disease.

METHODS

After institutional review board (IRB) approval, a retrospective chart review was undertaken at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for pediatric patients undergoing surgery for well-differentiated thyroid cancer from 1986 to 2021. Clinicopathologic characteristics and complications were evaluated. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with postoperative hypocalcemia.

RESULTS

The study identified 307 pediatric patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (median follow-up period, 61 months). Of these patients, 69% underwent TT and 31% received a partial thyroidectomy. Among them, 40% had N0 disease, 28% had N1a disease, and 33% had N1b disease. Postoperatively, no patients experienced a neck hematoma, 1.6% had temporary unilateral vocal cord palsy (VCP), and 0.7% had permanent VCP due to recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) invasion. Temporary and permanent hypocalcemia occurred in respectively 32.6 % and 5.2 % of the patients. Multivariable analysis identified central neck dissection (CND) (odds ratio [OR] 3.30; p < 0.001) and N1 disease (OR 2.51; p = 0.036) as independent risk factors for temporary hypocalcemia and N stage (OR 3.64; p = 0.018) as a risk factor for permanent hypocalcemia.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric thyroid cancer surgery results in low complication rates despite nodal metastases. Vocal cord paralysis is rare unless disease is found to be invading the RLN intraoperatively. Both N stage and CND are independent risk factors for hypocalcemia, helping to identify high-risk patients.

Prepubertal Children with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Present with More Invasive Disease Than Adolescents and Young Adults

Introduction: Pediatric papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) are more invasive than adult PTCs. No large, contemporary cohort study has been conducted to determine whether younger children are at higher risk for advanced disease at presentation compared to adolescents. We aimed to describe pediatric PTC and contextualize its characteristics with a young adult comparison cohort. Methods: The National Cancer Database was interrogated for pediatric and young adult PTCs diagnosed between 2004 and 2017. Clinical variables were compared between prepubertal (≤10 years old), adolescent (11-18 years old), and young adult (19-39 years old) groups. Multivariable logistic regression modeling for independent predictors of metastases was conducted. A subanalysis of microcarcinomas (size ≤10 mm) was performed. Results: A total of 4860 pediatric (prepubertal n = 274, adolescents n = 4586) and 101,159 young adult patients were included. Prepubertal patients presented with more extensive burden of disease, including significantly larger primary tumors, higher prevalence of nodal and distant metastases, and increased frequency of features such as lymphovascular invasion, and extrathyroidal extension (ETE). Prepubertal age was an independent predictor of positive regional nodes (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.36 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.01-1.84], p = 0.04) and distant metastatic disease (AOR = 3.12 [CI 1.96-4.96], p < 0.001). However, there was no difference in survival between groups (p = 0.32). Prepubertal age independently predicted lymph node metastases for microcarcinomas (AOR = 2.19 [CI 1.10-4.36], p = 0.03). Prepubertal (n = 41) versus adolescent (n = 937) patient age was associated with gross ETE (p = 0.004), even with primary tumors ≤1 cm in size. Conclusions: Patients aged <11 years old present with more advanced disease than adolescents, with a higher likelihood of nodal and distant metastatic disease at time of diagnosis, although survival is high. Prepubertal children undergo more extensive treatment, likely reflective of more invasive disease at the outset, even in the setting of a subcentimeter primary tumor.

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring for Thyroid Surgery in Children and Adolescents: A Single Center Experience

Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) has been shown in adults to minimize nerve palsy after thyroid surgery, but only few studies on its efficacy in a pediatric population have been reported. We conducted a retrospective study on patients operated for thyroid lesions from 2016 to 2022. The analyzed population was divided in two groups: patients treated from 2016 to 2020, when the identification of the RLN was performed without IONM (Group A); and patients treated since 2021, when IONM was implemented in every surgical procedure on the thyroid (Group B). Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring was performed by using corticobulbar motor-evoked potentials and continuous electromyography. Twentyfive children underwent thyroid resection, 19 (76%) of which due to thyroid carcinoma. Each patient's recurrent nerve was identified; IONM was used in 13 patients. In Group A, one temporary nerve palsy was identified postoperatively (8.3%), while in group B one nerve dysfunction occurred (7.7%). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of post-operative RLN palsy. No surgical complication due to the use of IONM was reported. In children and teenagers, intraoperative neuromonitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is a safe and accurate method, minimizing the risk of nerve damage.

Paediatric differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a UK National Clinical Practice Consensus Guideline

This guideline is written as a reference document for clinicians presented with the challenge of managing paediatric patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma up to the age of 19 years. Care of paediatric patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma differs in key aspects from that of adults, and there have been several recent developments in the care pathways for this condition; this guideline has sought to identify and attend to these areas. It addresses the presentation, clinical assessment, diagnosis, management (both surgical and medical), genetic counselling, follow-up and prognosis of affected patients. The guideline development group formed of a multi-disciplinary panel of sub-speciality experts carried out a systematic primary literature review and Delphi Consensus exercise. The guideline was developed in accordance with The Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation Instrument II criteria, with input from stakeholders including charities and patient groups. Based on scientific evidence and expert opinion, 58 recommendations have been collected to produce a clear, pragmatic set of management guidelines. It is intended as an evidence base for future optimal management and to improve the quality of clinical care of paediatric patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Epidemiology and treatment of head and neck malignancies in the AYA generation

The Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) population refers to the population of young adults and adolescents in the 15-39 years age group. This population subgroup experiences various important life events. Head and neck malignancies are rare tumors, in general, but they are extremely rare in the AYA population. When analyzed by the primary site of the tumors, thyroid gland, soft tissue, and nasopharyngeal malignancies are the most commonly encountered head and neck malignancies in the AYA generation. The most common histopathologic subtypes are carcinomas (thyroid carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma) and rhabdomyosarcoma. Therefore, in this review, the author discusses these three diseases in the AYA population in detail. Especially, patients with parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma are at a high risk of dysfunction and facial deformity. Infertility problems may also occur as long-term sequelae of chemotherapy in this population. Radiation therapy might be associated with considerable morbidity. Complications such as cataract, xerostomia, hearing loss, neck fibrosis, and trismus are also common. Head and neck surgeons and medical oncologists should choose the optimal treatment taking into account the curability of the tumors relative to the long-term adverse events of treatment use. Finally, little evidence has been accumulated on head and neck malignancies in the AYA population, and it is urgently necessary to build a high level of evidence for the future.

Clinical Implications of Age in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between Children and Young Adults

BACKGROUND

Pediatric patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) present with unique characteristics compared to adult patients. This study aimed to evaluate clinical presentation and surgical outcomes according to age and to identify the clinical significance of age in DTC.

METHODS

In total, 98 pediatric patients, 1261 young adult patients, and 4017 adult patients with DTC who underwent thyroid surgery between January 1982 and December 2012 at Yonsei University Hospital (Seoul, Republic of Korea) were retrospectively reviewed. The mean follow-up duration was 120.4 ± 54.2 months.

RESULTS

Mean tumor size was significantly larger in the pediatric group than in the adult groups (p < 0.001). The recurrence rate was significantly higher in the pediatric group (14.3% versus 6.6% versus 3.0%, p=0.004 and p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the risk of disease-free survival (DFS) was lower in the adult group (HR, 0.362; p < 0.001). Reanalysis of patients with tumor size of 2-4 cm revealed that the adult group was not a significant risk factor for DFS in multivariate analysis (HR, 0.305; 95% CI, 0.158 to 0.588; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that pediatric patients present with more aggressive features and higher recurrence rates compared to adult patients and should be carefully treated from initial evaluation to surgery and postoperative care.

Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in Children and Adolescents: Long Term Outcome and Risk Factors for Persistent Disease

Simple Summary

Despite their excellent prognosis, pediatric differentiated thyroid cancers (P-DTC) often undergo aggressive treatment due to the advanced disease presentation. Reliable risk stratification tools to guide management are needed; unfortunately, the current American Thyroid Association (ATA) classification for P-DTC lacks an unequivocal definition of the three risk categories. In line with previous work, our data confirm a favorable long-term outcome in P-DTC including cases with distant metastases. We propose a modified ATA pediatric risk stratification using a cut-off of five lymph nodes as proposed by the 2015 ATA guidelines for adult DTC. The modified pediatric ATA risk class independently predicted short- and long-term outcome. The utility of applying dynamic risk classification was also confirmed as P-DTC with an excellent response seldom experiences relapse.

Abstract

Background: Pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer (P-DTC) frequently presents with advanced disease. The study aim was to evaluate the outcome of P-DTC and a modified 2015 American Thyroid Association risk classification (ATA-R). Methods: A retrospective study of consecutive P-DTC patients was performed. The ATA-R for P-DTC was used with a cut-off of ≤ 5 N1a for low-risk. The outcome could be excellent response (ER) (thyroglobulin < 1 ng/mL and no evidence of disease (EoD) at imaging), biochemical incomplete response (BIR) (thyroglobulin ≥ 1 ng/mL and no EoD at imaging) or structural incomplete response (SIR) (EoD at imaging). Results: We studied 260 P-DTC (70% females; median age at diagnosis 14 years; 93% total thyroidectomy and 82% lymph node dissection). The ATA-R was low in 30% cases, intermediate in 15% and high in 55%, including 31.5% with distant metastases. Radioiodine treatment was administered in 218 (83.8%), and further radioiodine and surgery was performed in 113 (52%) and 76 (29%) patients, respectively. After a median follow-up of 8.2 years, the outcome was ER in 193 (74.3%), BIR in 17 (6.5%) and SIR in 50 (19.2%). Independent predictors of SIR or BIR at first and last visits were ATA-R intermediate or high. Conclusion: P-DTC has an excellent prognosis. Modified ATA-R is a useful prognostic tool in P-DTC to guide management.

Distant Metastases From Childhood Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: Clinical Course and Mutational Landscape

CONTEXT

Distant metastases (DM) from childhood differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) are uncommon and published studies are limited.

OBJECTIVE

This work aimed to describe the outcomes of patients with DM from childhood DTC and to evaluate the molecular landscape of these tumors.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary cancer center including patients with pediatric DTC (diagnosed at age ≤ 18 years from 1946 to 2019) and DM.

RESULTS

We identified 148 patients; 144 (97%) had papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and 104 (70%) were female. Median age at DTC diagnosis was 13.4 years (interquartile range [IQR], 9.9-15.9 years). Evaluable individuals received a median of 2 (IQR, 1-3) radioactive iodine (RAI) treatments at a median cumulative administered activity of 238.0 mCi (IQR, 147.5-351.0 mCi). The oncogenic driver was determined in 64 of 69 PTC samples: RET fusion (38/64; 59%), NTRK1/3 fusions (18/64; 28%), and the BRAF V600E mutation (8/64; 13%). At last evaluation, 93% had persistent disease. The median overall and disease-specific survival after DTC diagnosis were 50.7 and 52.8 years, respectively. Eight (5%) PTC patients died of disease after a median of 30.7 years (IQR, 20.6-37.6 years).

CONCLUSION

Childhood DTC with DM persists in most patients despite multiple courses of RAI, but disease-specific death is uncommon, typically occurring decades after diagnosis. Fusion genes are highly prevalent in PTC, and all identified molecular alterations have appropriate targeted therapies. Future studies should focus on expanding genotype-phenotype correlations, determining how to integrate molecularly targeted therapy into treatment paradigms, and relying less on repeated courses of RAI to achieve cure in patients with DM from childhood DTC.

Clinical Assessment of Pediatric Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: A 30-Year Experience at a Single Institution

Background

Thyroidectomy is the typical treatment for pediatric thyroid carcinoma; total thyroidectomy is commonly performed. We aimed to report our experience at a single tertiary institution and to evaluate the risk factors for recurrence, especially based on surgical extent, in pediatric patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).

Methods

A data of 94 pediatric patients who underwent thyroid surgery for DTC from January 1982 to December 2012 at Yonsei University Hospital (Seoul, Korea) were reviewed. The clinicopathologic features and surgical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed through complete chart reviews.

Results

The mean age was 16.6 ± 3.0 (range, 5–19) years. Fourteen patients had recurrence. Tumor size >2 cm (hazard ratio [HR], 14.241; p = 0.011) and positive lymph nodes (HR, 1.056; p = 0.039) were significant risk factors for disease-free survival (DFS) in multivariate analysis. In Kaplan–Meier analysis, a statistically significant difference was noted in the DFS according to tumor size 2 cm (p < 0.001). However, the DFS was not significantly different between the bilateral total thyroidectomy (BTT) and less than BTT groups (p = 0.215).

Conclusions

BTT remains the treatment of choice in pediatric patients with DTC. Lobectomy may be considered for patients with limited disease, including those with tumor size <2 cm, no suspicious lymph nodes, intrathyroidal lesion, and no multifocal disease.

Management of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma in Pediatric Patients

Differentiated thyroid carcinomas are rare in young children but represent almost 10% of all malignancies diagnosed in older adolescents. Differentiated thyroid carcinoma in children is more likely to demonstrate nodal involvement and is associated with higher recurrence rates than seen in adults. Decisions regarding extent of surgical resection are based on clinical and radiologic features, cytology, and risk assessment. Total thyroidectomy and compartment-based resection of involved lymph node basins form the cornerstone of treatment. The use of molecular genetics to inform treatment strategies and the use of targeted therapies to unresectable progressive disease is evolving.

Lung Metastasis in Children with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Factors Associated with Diagnosis and Outcomes of Therapy

Background: Lung metastasis from differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in children and young adults (CAYA) is estimated at 25%, which is 3-4 times higher than in adults. Lung metastases may respond to radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy and overall survival is excellent. Associations with lung metastasis include lateral lymph node (LN) disease although CAYA data are limited. We investigated factors associated with lung metastasis in children and adolescents and described their presentation and outcome. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records from 1998 to 2017 in patients aged <18 years treated at a tertiary pediatric center was carried out. Data on age, clinical features at diagnosis, histology, biochemistry, imaging, RAI therapy, and outcome were collected. Results: Patients treated for DTC totaled 98 and 19 of 98 (19%) patients had lung metastasis; 17 of 19 (89%) patients were identified within 6 months from thyroidectomy. Patients with lung metastasis were younger (p < 0.001)-40% <13 years old had lung metastasis-and had a larger primary tumor diameter (p = 0.01). Absence of LN disease had negative predictive values ≥90% (p < 0.02). Patients with lung metastasis had a higher postoperative thyrotropin-stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) (p < 0.001), ≥2 ng/mL in 10 of 11 (91%) patients, and 100% had an elevated preoperative Tg (>60 ng/mL). Post-therapy whole body scan (WBS) identified most metastasis (13 of 17 patients), which were mostly diffuse (11 of 19 patients). Discordant findings were found between WBS and computed tomography (CT) at diagnosis (2 patients), WBS and CT during surveillance (3 patients), and diagnostic and post-therapy WBS (2 patients). Final outcome was "excellent" in 3 of 19 (16%) patients, "biochemically persistent" in 1 of 19 (5%) patients, "structurally persistent" in 13 of 19 (68%) patients-including 1 death-and indeterminate in 2 of 19 (11%) patients. Postoperative Tg correlated with response to therapy. Lung metastasis pattern and RAI cumulative activity were not predictive of response to therapy. Conclusions: Lung metastases are mostly observed at diagnosis of DTC and higher suspicion should be maintained in CAYA who are younger, have LN disease, and have elevated postoperative Tg. Preoperative Tg shows promise as another predictive marker, but limited sample size precludes generalization. "Excellent" response to therapy is uncommon-multiple RAI courses do not necessarily improve outcome-response appears unrelated to RAI activity or metastasis pattern.

Long-term outcome of differentiated thyroid cancer in children and young adults: risk stratification by ATA criteria and assessment of pre-ablation stimulated thyroglobulin as predictors of disease persistence

PURPOSE

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has an increasing incidence in childhood and adolescence but long-term outcome data are limited. We aimed to identify possible risk factors associated with disease persistence, with special focus on the usefulness of ATA risk stratification system and pre-ablation stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) levels.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 103 patients, 79 females (76.7%), aged 15.6 ± 3.2 years (range 5-21 years) who underwent total thyroidectomy for DTC. Patients were classified by ATA risk stratification criteria as low, intermediate, and high risk for recurrence. All, except five with papillary microcarcinoma, received radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment.

RESULTS

At diagnosis, 44.7% of patients had cervical lymph node and 7.8% pulmonary metastases. Amongst the 72 patients with long-term follow-up data, 31.9% had persistent disease. Lymph node as well as pulmonary metastases and increased pre-ablation stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) levels were associated with persistent disease. The risk of persistent disease was significantly higher in both the intermediate- (OR 17.95; 95% CI 2.66-120.94, p < 0.01) and high-risk (OR 17.65; 95% CI 4.47-69.74, p < 0.001) groups. ROC curve analysis showed that a pre-ablation Tg level higher than 14 ng/ml had a sensitivity of 94.7% to predict persistence, corresponding to a positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of 66.7% and 93.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

ATA risk stratification was validated in our population of children and young adults with DTC. Moreover, pre-ablation stimulated Tg levels of <14 ng/ml were associated with a low risk of long-term persistence and may therefore serve as a marker to identify patients who may need less intensive surveillance.

Distant Metastasis in Pediatric and Adolescent Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Clinical Outcomes and Risk Factor Analyses

CONTEXT

The specific characteristics of pediatric and adolescent differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the more frequent occurrence of distant metastasis (DM) compared with adult DTC.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical outcomes of DM in this population and analyze risk factors related to DM.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Medical records of 171 patients with DTC < 19 years old, who underwent initial surgery between 1979 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Clinical responses to radioiodine (RAI) therapy evaluated by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines for adult DTC and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria. Risk factors related to distant-metastasis-free survival (DMFS).

RESULTS

DM was observed in 29 patients, and all were lung metastases. The pattern of lung metastasis was classified into 3 categories: macronodular, micronodular, and no apparent nodule (detected only by RAI scintigraphy). Patients with excellent responses according to the ATA guideline criteria or complete remission of the RECIST criteria were most frequently observed in those with no apparent nodule. Significant factors related to DMFS were sex, clinical lymph node metastasis (LNM), extrathyroidal extension, and number of LNM. Subjects were divided into 3 groups according to the number of risk factors: low risk (no risk factors); intermediate risk (1 risk factor); and high risk (≥2 risk factors). Twenty-year DMFS rates in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups were 99.0%, 71.7%, and 28.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

To achieve the full efficacy of RAI therapy, early diagnosis of DM before apparent metastases appear is desirable. The selective approach would be preferable for pediatric and adolescent DTC.

Pediatric differentiated thyroid carcinoma: An update from the APSA Cancer Committee

BACKGROUND

Differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTCs) are rare in young children but represent almost 10% of all malignancies diagnosed in older adolescents.

METHODS

This article reviews the recent literature describing surgical therapeutic approaches to pediatric DTC, associated complications, and long-term recurrence and survival outcomes.

RESULTS

Similar to adult thyroid cancers, pediatric DTCs are more common in females and are associated with thyroid nodules, family history of thyroid cancer, radiation exposure, iodine deficiency, autoimmune thyroid disease, and genetic syndromes. Management of thyroid cancers in children involves ultrasound imaging, fine needle aspiration, and surgical resection with treatment decisions based on clinical and radiological features, cytology and risk assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

Total thyroidectomy and compartment based resection of clinically involved lymph node basins form the cornerstone of treatment of DTC. There is an evolving literature regarding the use of molecular genetics to inform treatment strategies and the use of targeted therapies to treat iodine refractory and surgically unresectable progressive disease.

TYPE OF STUDY

Summary review.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

This is a review article of previously published Level 1-5 articles that includes expert opinion (Level 5).

Management of pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer: An overview for the pediatric oncologist

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the most common childhood thyroid malignancy. The standard of care for pediatric DTC is total thyroidectomy followed by radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment when indicated. Molecular changes and potential therapeutic targets have been recently described in pediatric thyroid cancer. Pediatric oncologists are increasingly involved in the evaluation of thyroid nodules in childhood cancer survivors and in the management of advanced thyroid cancer. In 2015, the American Thyroid Association published management guidelines for children with DTC. We provide an overview of the current standard of care and highlight available targeted therapies for progressive or RAI refractory DTC.

Risk factors of post-surgery complications in children with thyroid cancer

INTRODUCTION

Thyroid cancer in children is a hot topic because of the large clinical heterogeneity and the risk of severe complications. We aimed to study 1. The frequency, 2. Etiology, and 3. Risk factors of post-surgery complications of thyroid cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis including risk factors for post-surgery complications of patients treated for thyroid malignancies in years 2006-2018 was performed.

RESULTS

Over a period of 12 years 22 patients with thyroid malignancy (68% female; 12.6 ± 4.0 years of age, median follow-up 6 years) were identified. Histologically, 12 (55%) patients had papillary carcinoma. Six patients (27.3%) had multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) syndrome, 3 (13.7%) patients had medullary carcinoma and 1 patient had follicular carcinoma. Neck lymph node metastases were diagnosed in 8 (36.4%), distant metastases in 6 (27.3%), and both locations were involved in 4 (18.2%) patients. Six (27.3%) children had surgical complications: 1 child had unilateral vocal cord paralysis and transient hypoparathyroidism and 5 had transient hypoparathyroidism. The higher risk of surgery complications in forward stepwise logistic regression was associated in with distant metastases (R2 = 0.584, OR 52.63, p = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative complications were significantly associated with presence of distant metastases. Favorable results were observed in with children with MEN2 syndrome.

Pediatric thyroidectomy: Favorable outcomes can be achieved by a multidisciplinary team of pediatric providers

AIM OF THE STUDY

Recent publications suggest pediatric surgeons may not be well suited to perform thyroid surgeries unless considered high volume. We sought to assess the outcome of thyroidectomies performed by pediatric surgeons in an academic setting.

METHODS

We reviewed charts of patients younger than 18 years who underwent thyroid surgeries at a free standing children's hospital between April 2006 and October 2015.

MAIN RESULTS

The analysis included 118 surgeries in 98 patients (mean age 11.8 years). Most surgeries were performed by a single pediatric surgeon (average 10 thyroidectomies per year). The commonest indication for resection was thyroid nodule (64%). 80% of patients had a single surgery; the remainder had two, including 13 completion hemithyroidectomies. Cancer was found in 37% of specimens, with papillary subtype being most common (72%). Seven patients had locoregional metastases and one had pulmonary metastases. Among the 17 malignant cases that had a second intervention, 6 had malignancy in the resected specimen. There were no deaths in the follow up period (mean 2.7 years). Two patients had permanent hypocalcemia, and three had persistent unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries causing dysphonia for a total permanent complication rate of 4.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that pediatric thyroidectomy is a safe procedure when performed by pediatric surgeons. Our rate of complications is comparable to those reported in the literature. Our data highlight the need for a vigilant and multidisciplinary approach for children with thyroid pathology.

TYPE OF STUDY

Treatment study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

The surgical choice for unilateral thyroid carcinoma in pediatrics: Lobectomy or total thyroidectomy?

BACKGROUND

Total thyroidectomy is no doubt the standard procedure for patients with bilateral thyroid carcinoma in pediatrics. However, for lesions confined in unilateral thyroid gland, lobectomy or radical total thyroidectomy is still controversial in pediatrics.

METHODS

Thirty-five cases of pediatric thyroid carcinoma which were confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed in our hospital from 2005 to 2016. In 13 cases of unilateral lesions, 6 received lobectomy, while others underwent total thyroidectomy. Recurrence and complications were compared between 2 groups. Also, there were 20 cases of primary total thyroidectomy and 4 cases of supplementary resection of the residual gland. The short-term complications were compared.

RESULTS

There were no differences between groups of lobectomy and total thyroidectomy in size, extrathyroid extension, stage, cervical lymph nodes metastases, and distant metastases. They were the same in incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia, calcium supplement, recurrent laryngeal nerve damage, and recurrence rate and mortality, except that the length of stay in hospital was shorter in lobectomy group. Patients in supplementary resection were more likely to present the symptoms of postoperative hypocalcemia and hypokalemia, and it was difficult to identify the parathyroid gland during the operation by comparing with patients of primary total thyroidectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Thyroid carcinoma in pediatrics is inclined to be multifocal, and even in a single focus, the volume is large. Total thyroidectomy does not bring more complications. In contrast, the morbidity increases in staged resection. Endocrine hormone supplement can satisfy the need for growth and development.

TYPE OF STUDY

Treatment study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Cervical Lymph Node Metastases of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma, in the Central and Lateral Compartments, in Children and Adolescents: Predictive Factors

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The aim of our study was to identify predictive factors for lymph node metastases (LNM) in children and adolescents with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and their impact on survival.

METHODS

The authors conducted an Italian multicentric retrospective analysis on 132 pediatric patients (0-18 years old) affected by PTC between 2000 and 2014. The investigated variables were demographic characteristics of the patients, clinicopathological features of PTCs, and persistence/recurrence of disease. The female/male ratio was 3.1:1. The median age was 14.3 ± 3.5 years (range 4-18 years). Total thyroidectomy was performed in all the patients, followed by lymph node dissection in 87 patients (65.9%). Metastatic lymph node involvement was confirmed in 73 patients (55.3%): lateral compartment (LC) in 25 patients (34.2%), central compartment (CC) in 17 patients (23.3%), and both compartments in 31 patients (42.5%).

RESULTS

Multifocality (P < .00), vascular invasion (P = .04), infiltration of the thyroid capsule (P < .00), minimal extrathyroidal extension (P < .00), diffuse sclerosing variant of PTC (P = .02), and presence of LNM in the LC (P < .00) were significantly associated with LNM in CC. Infiltration of the thyroid capsule (P < .00), massive extrathyroidal extension (P = .03), distant metastases (P = .02), PTC, not otherwise specified (P < .00), and presence of LNM in the CC (P < .00) were significantly associated with LNM in LC. Age, sex and size of PTC were not correlated with the presence of cervical LNM. Moreover, presence of LNM in CC increases the risk of persistence (P < .01) and recurrence (P < .02) of PTC in children and adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Most predictors, unfortunately, are only identified post-operatively by histopathologic examination: Just a small part of them can be pre-operatively detected with a low-sensitivity neck ultrasonography. In PTC patients with pre-operative predictors, we suggest an accurate pre- and intra-operative evaluation of CC and/or LC to find suspicious lymph nodes. The presence of LNM in CC has an impact on disease/progression/relapse-free survival. We suggest performing RAI therapy and an accurate follow-up for pediatric patients with only post-operative predictors.

Clinicopathological Risk Factors for Distant Metastasis in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Distant metastasis (DM) is not a frequent event in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) but has an adverse impact on mortality of patients with DTC. In the current study, we aimed to conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the risk factors for DM in DTCs and for each histological subtype.

METHODS

Five electronic databases were searched from inception to December 2016 for relevant articles. Pooled odd ratios and 95% confidence interval were calculated using random-effect model.

RESULTS

Thirty-four articles with 73,219 patients were included for meta-analyses. In DTCs, male gender, age ≥45 years, tumor size ≥4 cm, multifocality, vascular invasion (VI), extrathyroidal extension (ETE), lymph node metastasis (LNM), and lateral LNM were demonstrated to be associated with significant risks for DM. In addition, several clinicopathological factors such as age ≥45 years, VI, ETE, and LNM were shown to be significant risk factors for DM in both PTC and FTC subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated the promising value of several clinicopathological factors such as male gender, older age, VI, ETE, and LNM in predicting DM in PTCs and FTCs. Our study affirms the value of the selected clinicopathological factors for tumor risk stratification and assessment of patients' prognosis.

Twenty-year experience of paediatric thyroid surgery using intraoperative nerve monitoring

BACKGROUND

There are few data on intermittent and continuous intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) during thyroidectomy in children.

METHODS

All children aged 18 years or younger who had standard thyroid operations using intermittent or continuous IONM between January 1998 and December 2016 were included in the study. The impact of age and type of IONM on basal amplitude, latency and complications after thyroidectomy were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 504 children were included in the study. With continuous IONM, median basal amplitude and latency increased significantly with age, more on the left side (from 199 to 870 μV, and from 3·88 to 5·75 ms) than on the right (from 340 to 778 μV, and from 2·63 to 3·50 ms). Compared with intermittent IONM with needle electrode, continuous IONM with tube electrode resulted in an increase in median basal amplitude in children aged 13-18 years on both sides (from 675 to 778 μV on the right and from 450 to 870 μV on the left), and a decrease in median latency in all children older than 3 years: in children aged 4-6 years, from 4·20 to 3·00 ms on the right and from 6·10 to 4·63 ms on the left; in children aged 7-12 years, from 4·60 to 3·50 ms and from 6·00 to 5·25 ms respectively; and in children aged 13-18 years, from 4·60 to 3·50 ms and from 6·40 to 5·75 ms. Overall, wound infection, but not bleeding/haematoma or vocal fold palsy, affected younger children more: 3 per cent of children aged 3 years or less; 2 per cent of children aged 4-6 years; and 0 per cent of children aged over 6 years (P = 0·031). With continuous IONM, no wound infection, bleeding/haematoma or permanent vocal fold palsy was noted in any age group.

CONCLUSION

Continuous IONM measures nerve electrophysiology more accurately than intermittent IONM during thyroidectomy in children.

Hashimoto's Disease and Thyroid Cancer in Children: Are They Associated?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most common cause of thyroid disease in children and adolescents. Along with significant modifications of thyroid function, HT in pediatric age can be accompanied by relevant thyroid structural alterations. Over time, benign thyroid nodules, carcinoma and, rarely, primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma can develop. However, the relationships between HT and neoplasms are poorly defined. The main aim of this paper is to discuss what is presently known regarding the coexistence of HT and thyroid tumors. Moreover, we attempt to define the pathogenesis of cancer development in children with HT. Literature analysis showed that despite its rarity and relatively promising prognosis, thyroid cancer is associated with HT. Although not all reasons for the coexistence of these diseases are clearly defined, children with HT should be considered at higher risk for thyroid cancer development. Strict correlations between high levels of serum TSH and anti-thyroid antibodies with cancer must be remembered. The same is true for the presence of nodules, especially if multiple nodules are present and ultrasonography and thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology should be promptly used in uncertain cases.

Protocol for management after thyroidectomy: a retrospective study based on one-center experience

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The optimal approach to detect and treat symptomatic hypocalcemia (SxH) after thyroidectomy is still uncertain. In our retrospective study, we sought to set a standardized postoperative management protocol on the basis of relative change of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and absolute value of postoperative day 1 (POD1) PTH.

METHODS

Patients who underwent thyroidectomy were identified retrospectively in our prospective database. Blood was collected 1 day before surgery and on POD1. Extra calcium and calcitriol supplement was prescribed when necessary. Meanwhile, postoperative signs of SxH were treated and recorded in detail. Patients were followed up for 1 month after surgery and then 3 months thereafter.

RESULTS

A total of 744 patients were included in the final analysis. Transient SxH occurred in 86 (11.6%) patients, and persistent SxH occurred in 4 (0.54%) patients in more than half year after surgery. Relative decrease of PTH reached its maximal discriminative effect at 70% (area under the curve [AUC] =0.754), with a sensitivity of 72.1% and a specificity of 75%. In Group 1 (≤70%), 24 (4.67%) patients were interpreted as having SxH, whereas in Group 2, 62 (27.0%) patients had SxH (>70%), P<0.001. Days of symptom relief in Group 1-1 (1, 2) were significantly shorter than those in Group 2-2 (1, 10), P=0.023. In Group 2, 112 (80%) patients with POD1 PTH <1 pmol/L were treated with calcitriol, whereas only 8 (8.89%) patients with POD1 PTH ≥1 pmol/L were treated with calcitriol (P<0.001). According to relief of SxH and recovery of parathyroid function, treating with and without calcitriol showed no difference in patients with POD1 PTH <1 and ≥1 pmol/L.

CONCLUSION

Relative decrease of PTH >70% is a significant risk factor for SxH in post-thyroidectomy. The decreasing percent of PTH ≤70% ensures discharge on POD1, but longer hospitalization was advocated for patients with decreasing percent of PTH >70%, who needed extra calcitriol supplement when POD1 PTH <1 pmol/L.

Complications in head and neck surgery

Head and neck anatomy is topographically complex and the region is densely populated by vital nerves and vascular and lymphatic structures. Injury to many of these structures is associated with significant morbidity and may even be fatal. A thorough knowledge of regional anatomy is imperative and complications need to be managed in a thoughtful directed manner. The pediatric surgeon may be called upon to address both congenital and acquired conditions and should be prepared to encounter reoperative fields after failed initial surgery. This review summarizes the current literature on four frequently encountered surgical conditions of the head and neck: branchial cleft anomalies, thyroglossal duct cyst, thyroid disease, and lymphatic malformations, with a focus on the prevention and treatment of complications.

Thyroid Cancer in Children: Management and Outcome Experience of a Referral Center

OBJECTIVE: To shed light on the discrepancy between the advanced stage at presentation and high recurrence rate of well-differentiated thyroid cancer in children and the overall good survival.

DESIGN AND METHODS: The files of 75 children with well-differentiated thyroid cancer treated from 1954 to 2001 in a major tertiary-care hospital were reviewed for disease course, management, and outcome.

RESULTS: Sixty patients (80%) had positive neck metastases with involvement of central compartment lymph nodes in all, lateral neck nodes in 36, and distant metastases in 4. Sixty-seven patients underwent total thyroidectomy with adjuvant radioiodine treatment and 8 underwent hemithyroidectomy; all had concomitant neck treatment. The rate of local (5%) and neck (9%) recurrence was similar to the total rate reported in adults. Total thyroidectomy led to a significantly lower recurrence rate (7.5%) than hemithyroidectomy (38%; P < 0.005). Type of neck dissection did not affect recurrence or appearance of distant metastases. All deaths (n = 2) were due to distant metastases, whereas 30% of adult deaths are due to local or neck disease.

CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of choice for well-differentiated thyroid cancer in young patients is total thyroidectomy. Neither regional disease at presentation nor recurrences affect survival.

Management of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in Children: Focus on the American Thyroid Association Pediatric Guidelines

First introduced in 1946, radioactive iodine (I-131) produces short-range beta radiation with a half-life of 8 days. The physical properties of I-131 combined with the high degree of uptake in the differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs) led to the use of I-131 as a therapeutic agent for DTC in adults. There are two indications for the potential use of I-131 therapy in pediatric thyroid disorders: nonsurgical treatment of hyperthyroidism owing to Graves' disease and the treatment of children with intermediate- and high-risk DTC. However, children are not just miniature adults. Not only are children and the pediatric thyroid gland more sensitive to radiation than adults but also the biologic behavior of DTC differs between children and adults as well. As opposed to adults, children with DTC typically present with advanced disease at diagnosis; yet, they respond rapidly to therapy and have an excellent prognosis that is significantly better than that in adult counterparts with advanced disease. Unfortunately, there are also higher rates of local and distant disease recurrence in children with DTC compared with adults, mandating lifelong surveillance. Further, children have a longer life expectancy during which the adverse effects of I-131 therapy may become manifest. Recognizing the differences between adults and children with DTC, the American Thyroid Association commissioned a task force of experts who developed and recently published a guideline to address the unique issues related to the management of thyroid nodules and DTC in children. This article reviews the epidemiology, diagnosis, staging, treatment, therapy-related effects, and suggestions for surveillance in children with DTC, focusing not only on the differences between adults and children with this disease but also on the latest recommendations from the inaugural pediatric management guidelines of the American Thyroid Association.

Management of Invasive Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

BACKGROUND

Invasive disease is a poor prognostic factor for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Uncontrolled central neck disease is a common cause of distressing death for patients presenting in this manner. Advances in assessment and management of such cases have led to significant improvements in outcome for this patient group. This article reviews the patterns of invasion and a contemporary approach to investigation and treatment of patients with invasive DTC.

SUMMARY

Aerodigestive tract invasion is reported in around 10% of case series of DTC. Assessment should include not only clinical history and physical examination with endoscopy as indicated, but ultrasound and contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging. Further studies including positron emission tomography should be considered, particularly in recurrent cases that are radioactive iodine (RAI) resistant. Both the patient and the extent of disease should be carefully assessed prior to embarking on surgery. The aim of surgery is to resect all gross disease. When minimal visceral invasion is encountered early, "shave" procedures are recommended. In the setting of transmural invasion of the airway or esophagus, however, full thickness excision is required. For intermediate cases in which invasion of the viscera has penetrated the superficial layers but is not evident in the submucosa, opinion is divided. Early reports recommended an aggressive approach. More recently authors have tended to recommend less aggressive resections with postoperative adjuvant therapies. The role of external beam radiotherapy continues to evolve in DTC with support for its use in patients considered to have RAI-resistant tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with invasive DTC require a multidisciplinary approach to investigation and treatment. With detailed assessment, appropriate surgery, and adjuvant therapy when indicated, this patient group can expect durable control of central neck disease, despite the aggressive nature of their primary tumors.

Impact of patient age on the iodine/FDG "flip-flop" phenomenon in lung metastasis from thyroid cancer

OBJECTIVES

Radioiodine therapy is an effective treatment for lung metastasis from thyroid cancer. However, cases of lung metastasis without iodine uptake are often encountered. In such cases, FDG accumulation in lung lesions is often observed. There is a reverse relationship between iodine and FDG accumulation in thyroid cancer lesions, the so-called "flip-flop" phenomenon. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between patient age and the occurrence of the flip-flop phenomenon.

METHODS

Eighty-six patients who underwent radioiodine therapy for lung metastasis were studied retrospectively (age 17-73 years; median 60 years; males:females 22:64). We compared the clinical data and imaging findings (size and FDG uptake of lung nodules) between patients with (n = 44) and without (n = 42) iodine uptake in lung metastasis.

RESULTS

Significantly more young patients showed iodine accumulation in lung metastasis than old patients (p = 0.0025). Lung metastases with larger size or greater FDG uptake showed no iodine uptake more frequently with significant difference (p = 0.015 and <0.001, respectively). Among patients with FDG uptake in the lung metastasis, 57.1 % of young patients (<60 years) and 24.3 % of the old patients (≥60 years) showed iodine uptake (p = 0.0029).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher patient age and lung nodules with large size or FDG accumulation are negative factors for iodine accumulation in lung metastases from thyroid cancer. In addition, our results show that young patients have a greater likelihood of iodine uptake even when FDG accumulates in lung metastasis, in contrast to old patients.

Thyroid Cancer in Pediatrics

Well differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in children is characterized by a high rate of response to treatment and low disease-specific mortality. Treatment of children with DTC has evolved toward a greater reliance on evaluation and monitoring with serial serum thyroglobulin measurements and ultrasound examinations. Radioiodine therapy is recommended for thyroid remnant ablation in high-risk patients, treatment of demonstrated radioiodine-avid local-regional disease not amenable to surgical resection, or distant radioiodine-avid metastatic disease. Sufficient time should be given for benefits of radioiodine therapy to be realized, with follow-up monitoring. Re-treatment with radioiodine can be deferred until progression of significant disease manifests.

Pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma: outcomes and survival predictors in 2504 surgical patients

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate outcomes and predictors of survival of pediatric thyroid carcinoma, specifically papillary thyroid carcinoma.

METHODS

SEER was searched for surgical pediatric cases (≤20 years old) of papillary thyroid carcinoma diagnosed between 1973 and 2011. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and survival outcomes were analyzed using standard statistical methods. All papillary types, including follicular variant, were included.

RESULTS

A total of 2504 cases were identified. Overall incidence was 0.483/100,000 persons per year with a significant annual percent change (APC) in occurrence of 2.07 % from baseline (P < 0.05). Mean age at diagnosis was 16 years and highest incidence was found in white, female patients ages 15-19. Patients with tumor sizes <1 cm more likely received lobectomies/isthmusectomies versus subtotal/total thyroidectomies [OR = 3.03 (2.12, 4.32); P < 0.001]. Patients with tumors ≥1 cm and lymph node-positive statuses [OR = 99.0 (12.5, 783); P < 0.001] more likely underwent subtotal/total thyroidectomy compared to lobectomy/isthmusectomy. Tumors ≥1 cm were more likely lymph node-positive [OR = 39.4 (16.6, 93.7); p < 0.001]. Mortality did not differ between procedures. Mean survival was 38.6 years and higher in those with regional disease. Disease-specific 30-year survival ranged from 99 to 100 %, regardless of tumor size or procedure. Lymph node sampling did not affect survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of pediatric papillary thyroid cancer is increasing. Females have a higher incidence, but similar survival to males. Tumors ≥1 cm were likely to be lymph node-positive. Although tumors ≥1 cm were more likely to be resected by subtotal/total thyroidectomy, survival was high and did not differ based on procedure.

Pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma of Follicular Cell Origin: Prognostic Significance of Histologic Subtypes

BACKGROUND

Thyroid cancers are rare in the pediatric age group, and unlike in adults, few data are available regarding the clinical implication of histologic subtypes in the pediatric population. The purpose of the current study was to determine the prognostic significance of histologic subtypes of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in a large series of children and adolescents followed at a single institution.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of all pediatric DTC patients who were treated and followed between 1988 and 2012. Sixty-two patients (median age at diagnosis 13.8 years, median age at follow-up 18 years, 77% female) were assessed. The most common subtypes included classic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC; 48%), diffuse sclerosing PTC (16%), and follicular variant PTC (15%); 37% were considered "high-risk" histologies based on adult criteria.

RESULTS

In a multivariate model, only extensive extrathyroidal extension (ETE), defined as the presence of two or more microscopic foci of tumor cells ≤1 mm in size each or any foci >1 mm in size invading beyond the thyroid capsule into perithyroid soft tissue or organs, was significantly associated with extent of disease at presentation. At last follow-up, 76% of subjects had no evidence of disease, 18% had persistent disease, and 5% had recurrent/progressive disease. Event-free survival was associated with extent of disease at presentation (p = 0.01), extensive ETE at diagnosis (p < 0.01), and male sex (p = 0.01), but not histologic subtype (p = 0.20).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric DTC carries an excellent prognosis. Extensive ETE at diagnosis was found to be an independent predictor of extent of disease at presentation, as well as event-free survival. Unlike in the adult population, "high-risk" histologic subtypes did not independently predict extent of disease at presentation or event-free survival in this pediatric population with DTC.

Predictive factors for recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer in patients under 21 years of age and a meta-analysis of the current literature

The influence of predictors for recurrence in relation to recurrence-free survival was analyzed retrospectively in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients under 21 years of age who underwent primary surgical treatment and who had a pathological diagnosis of DTC between 1983 and 2012 at Fudan University Cancer Hospital. Recurrences were retrospectively analyzed using a Cox regression model for the hazard ratio (HR) according to the clinicopathological features. A meta-analysis was performed with respect to the potential predictors for recurrence from current related studies. In the present study, there were 146 young patients aged from 7 to 20 years, with a female/male ratio of 2.65/1. Female gender was the only factor significantly associated with recurrence according to univariate (HR = 2.812, P = 0.037) and multivariate (HR = 4.107, P = 0.024) Cox regression analyses. Meta-analyses revealed that multifocality (HR = 1.91, P < 0.05) and presentation at diagnosis (HR = 1.39, P < 0.05) were highly associated with recurrence in young DTC patients. However, female gender and other factors, such as age (≤10 vs. 11-20 years), PTC (PTC vs. FTC), extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastasis, total thyroidectomy (total vs. less than total), radioiodine therapy, and radiation history, were not associated with recurrence in young DTC patients. In conclusion, multifocality and presentation at diagnosis are strong predictive factors of recurrence in relation to recurrence-free survival. We recommend studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up to verify the influence of predictors for disease recurrence in young patients.

Are we really at the dawn of understanding sporadic pediatric thyroid carcinoma?

Data from the National Cancer Institute and from the literature have disclosed an increasing incidence of thyroid cancer in children, adolescents and adults. Although children and adolescents with thyroid cancer tend to present with more advanced disease than adults, their overall survival rate is excellent; however, there is no clear explanation for the differences observed in the clinicopathological outcomes in these age groups. There has been an ongoing debate regarding whether the clinicopathological differences may be due to the existence of distinct genetic alterations. Efforts have been made to identify these acquired genetic abnormalities that will determine the tumor's biological behavior and ultimately allow molecular prognostication. However, most of the studies have been performed in radiation-exposed pediatric thyroid carcinoma. Therefore, our understanding of the role of these driver mutations in sporadic pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer development is far from complete, and additionally, there is a strong need for studies in both children and adolescents. The aim of this review is to present an extensive literature review with emphasis on the molecular differences between pediatric sporadic and radiation-exposed differentiated thyroid carcinomas and adult population.

Management Guidelines for Children with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

BACKGROUND

Previous guidelines for the management of thyroid nodules and cancers were geared toward adults. Compared with thyroid neoplasms in adults, however, those in the pediatric population exhibit differences in pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and long-term outcomes. Furthermore, therapy that may be recommended for an adult may not be appropriate for a child who is at low risk for death but at higher risk for long-term harm from overly aggressive treatment. For these reasons, unique guidelines for children and adolescents with thyroid tumors are needed.

METHODS

A task force commissioned by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) developed a series of clinically relevant questions pertaining to the management of children with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Using an extensive literature search, primarily focused on studies that included subjects ≤18 years of age, the task force identified and reviewed relevant articles through April 2014. Recommendations were made based upon scientific evidence and expert opinion and were graded using a modified schema from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

RESULTS

These inaugural guidelines provide recommendations for the evaluation and management of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents, including the role and interpretation of ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration cytology, and the management of benign nodules. Recommendations for the evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of children and adolescents with DTC are outlined and include preoperative staging, surgical management, postoperative staging, the role of radioactive iodine therapy, and goals for thyrotropin suppression. Management algorithms are proposed and separate recommendations for papillary and follicular thyroid cancers are provided.

CONCLUSIONS

In response to our charge as an independent task force appointed by the ATA, we developed recommendations based on scientific evidence and expert opinion for the management of thyroid nodules and DTC in children and adolescents. In our opinion, these represent the current optimal care for children and adolescents with these conditions.

Prognostic factors in pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer patients with pulmonary metastases

AIM

This study was aimed at identifying the prognostic factors predicting remission in pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients presenting with pulmonary metastases. Little is known about the prognostic factors in reference to pediatric DTC patients presenting with pulmonary metastases.

METHODS

Fifty-three DTC patients aged ≤21 years were diagnosed with pulmonary metastases at initial presentation. The demographic and disease characteristics were compared between the patients who achieved remission and those who did not.

RESULTS

During the median follow-up of 72 months, 38 patients became disease free, 14 patients had biochemically and/or structurally persistent disease, and one patient died due to disease progression. Patient age >15 years, presence of macronodular pulmonary metastases, and surgical methods lesser than total/near-total thyroidectomy were identified as factors associated with reduced odds of remission.

CONCLUSION

This study describes the disease course and depicts the disease related prognostic factors in pediatric DTC patients with pulmonary metastases.

Treatment approach, surveillance, and outcome of well-differentiated thyroid cancer in childhood and adolescence

BACKGROUND

Well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma in children and adolescents is a rare disease with favorable prognosis despite regional and distant metastasis at presentation in many patients. Treatment recommendations are varied and there is little consensus on follow-up guidelines for these patients.

METHODS

Medical records of patients less than 22 years of age treated at our institution were reviewed. One hundred twelve patients treated between 1969 and 2009 were selected for further analysis. Effects of patient and tumor characteristics on progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated along with the predictive value of whole-body (131)I scintigraphy in the follow-up setting.

RESULTS

Overall survival at 20 years and 30 years was 100% and 94.4%, respectively. PFS at 10, 20, and 30 years was 71%, 62%, and 55%, respectively. Although male patients and younger patients presented with more advanced disease, sex, and age at diagnosis had no effect on risk of PFS. Additionally, neither the presence of vascular invasion, capsular extension, positive margins, nor soft tissue invasion had an effect on PFS. Mean time to recurrence in patients who underwent immediate postoperative (131)I therapy was 3.8 years compared to 14.1 years in patients who either never received (131)I therapy or were treated in the salvage setting (p<0.0001). Negative posttreatment whole-body (131)I scintigraphy was strongly predictive for decreased risk of recurrence, especially in patients with three consecutive negative scans.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric patients are more likely to present with advanced disease and for this reason, the majority of patients treated at our institution receive postoperative (131)I. Long-term surveillance is required in this population because of the risk of late recurrences. Whole-body (131)I scintigraphy is useful for risk stratification; after three consecutive negative scans, the risk of recurrence is low.

Surgery for thyroid cancer

The incidence of thyroid cancer, particularly papillary thyroid cancer, is rising at an epidemic rate. The mainstay of treatment of most patients with thyroid cancer is surgery. Considerable controversy exists about the extent of thyroid surgery and lymph node resection in patients with thyroid cancer. Surgical experience in judgment and technique is required to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

Recurrent disease in juvenile differentiated thyroid carcinoma: prognostic factors, treatments, and outcomes

The overall prognosis in pediatric differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is excellent. Recurrent disease is frequent, however, and requires additional treatment. We analyzed the probability of recurrence, prognostic factors, treatment, and outcome of juvenile DTC.

METHODS

Fifty-one DTC patients (32 girls and 19 boys; ≤ 20 y old; mean age, 16.5 y) were treated with (131)I (radioiodine, or radioactive iodine [RAI]); the median follow-up was 10 y. Patients underwent different initial treatments: 46 patients received total thyroidectomy and RAI, 3 patients received total thyroidectomy, and 3 patients received subtotal thyroidectomy. The probability of recurrence and prognostic factors were tested with the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Initially, 36 of 51 patients achieved complete remission, 14 of 51 achieved partial remission, and 1 of 51 had progressive disease. By the follow-up, 11 of 51 patients (21.6%) had developed recurrent disease; the median appearance time was 4 y (range, 1-15 y). The probabilities of recurrence were 16.7% at 5 y, 22.3% at 10 y, and 33.3% at 15 and 23 y after the initial treatments. Factors that were strongly predictive of recurrence were age (P = 0.001), initial treatment (P = 0.0001), and tumor multifocality (P = 0.011). Sex, nodal metastases at presentation, distal metastases at presentation, histologic type of the tumor, T stage, and clinical stage had no influence on relapse (P = 0.180, P = 0.786, P = 0.796, P = 0.944, P = 0.352, and P = 0.729, respectively). Patients with recurrent disease, partial remission, and progressive disease were retreated, with either surgery or surgery and RAI, receiving cumulative activities of up to 40 GBq. The overall outcome in our patients was excellent: 90.2% complete remission, 3.92% partial remission, 1.96% stable disease, 1.96% disease-related death, and 1.96% another cause of death.

CONCLUSION

Younger age at diagnosis, less radical primary surgery without subsequent RAI, and tumor multifocality are factors that are strongly prognostic for recurrence. For reducing the rate of relapse and improving surveillance for recurrent disease, total thyroidectomy followed by RAI appears to be the most beneficial initial treatment for patients with juvenile DTC. The use of RAI seems to be safe, with no adverse effects on subsequent fertility and pregnancy or secondary malignancy.

Paediatric thyroid cancer: the Scottish experience

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Paediatric thyroid cancer is a rare disease, making diagnosis and treatment particularly challenging. Here we present the Scottish experience of thyroid cancer in the paediatric population and give an overview of how a child or adolescent that presents with a thyroid nodule should be investigated and managed.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data has been obtained from ISD Scotland, giving population-based information on paediatric thyroid cancer. A literature review has been performed on the management and treatment of thyroid cancer in the younger population. Paediatric thyroid cancer in Scotland is a rare disease, although the incidence is increasing each year. In general, differentiated paediatric thyroid cancer carries a good prognosis, while the results are more mixed in the rarer pathologies such as medullary cancer.

CONCLUSION

Due to the small numbers of patients diagnosed each year in Scotland, it is imperative that these patients are discussed at a multidisciplinary thyroid MDT and managed in a tertiary referral centre by consultants and medical/nursing support staff who have experience in treating these patients.

Thyroid cancer in children and adolescents

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Paediatric thyroid cancer is a rare disease, but its incidence is rising in recent reports. This review aims at integrating recent findings into the current optimal diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

RECENT FINDINGS

The causal relationship of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) to radiation exposure is increasingly unravelled. Research progressively uncovers the genetic basis, such as RET (rearranged during transfection)/papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) rearrangement and RET-mutations. Knowledge of oncogenic signalling pathways nowadays starts to help finetuning diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. This knowledge complements the current state-of-the-art of paediatric thyroid cancer treatment. In childhood, DTC presents at a more advanced stage and implies higher recurrence rates, recurrences often occurring decades later. Treatment should minimize not only these recurrences but also long-term treatment sequelae. Total thyroidectomy and central compartment dissection by a high-volume surgeon and radioactive iodine is the preferred approach for most children with DTC. For children with medullary thyroid cancer within the MEN2 framework, when possible, prophylactic thyroidectomy is performed. Unfortunately, frequently, the diagnosis is still made at a later stage, and then requires total thyroidectomy with dissection of the central compartment and the lateral neck, when involved.

SUMMARY

The management complexity, the essential long-term follow-up and the lifetime burden of eventual complications demands management of paediatric thyroid cancer by physicians with the highest expertise. In such hands, excellent results can be obtained.

Twenty-five years after Chernobyl: outcome of radioiodine treatment in children and adolescents with very high-risk radiation-induced differentiated thyroid carcinoma

CONTEXT

After severe reactor emergencies with release of radioactive iodine, elevated thyroid cancer risk in children and adolescents is considered the main health consequence for the population exposed.

DESIGN

We studied thyroid cancer outcome after 11.3 years' median follow-up in a selected, very high-risk cohort, 234 Chernobyl-exposed Belarusian children and adolescents undergoing postsurgical radioiodine therapy (RIT) in Germany.

INTERVENTIONS

Cumulatively 100 children with or (without; n = 134) distant metastasis received a median 4 (2) RITs and 16.9 (6.6) GBq, corresponding to 368 (141) MBq/kg iodine-131.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Outcomes were response to therapy and disease status, mortality, and treatment toxicity.

RESULTS

Of 229 patients evaluable for outcome, 147 (64.2%) attained complete remission [negative iodine-131 whole-body scan and TSH-stimulated serum thyroglobulin (Tg) < 1 μg /L], 69 (30.1%) showed nearly complete remission (complete response, except stimulated Tg 1-10 μg/L), and 11 (4.8%) had partial remission (Tg > 10 μg/L, decrease from baseline in radioiodine uptake intensity in ≥ 1 focus, in tumor volume or in Tg). Except for 2 recurrences (0.9%) after partial remission, no recurrences, progression, or disease-specific mortality were noted. One patient died of lung fibrosis 17.5 years after therapy, 2 of apparently thyroid cancer-unrelated causes. The only RIT side effect observed was pulmonary fibrosis in 5 of 69 patients (7.2%) with disseminated lung metastases undergoing intensive pulmonary surveillance.

CONCLUSIONS

Experience of a large, very high-risk pediatric cohort with radiation-induced differentiated thyroid carcinoma suggests that even when such disease is advanced and initially suboptimally treated, response to subsequent RIT and final outcomes are mostly favorable.

Pediatric thyroid disease: when is surgery necessary, and who should be operating on our children?

Surgical diseases of the thyroid in the pediatric population represent a diverse set of both benign and malignant conditions. Overall, incidence is rare. Benign conditions include Graves' disease, toxic adenomas, congenital hyperthyroidism, and goiter. Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), with its related familial cancer syndromes, are the most common malignancies. Near-total or total thyroidectomy is the appropriate surgery for thyroid cancer, with/out central lymph node dissection. Emerging practice guidelines from professional societies are helpful, although they generally have not addressed surgical management of the pediatric patient. Thyroidectomy in children is associated with a higher rate of complications, such as recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and hypoparathyroidism, as compared to the surgery in adults. Therefore, it is essential that pediatric thyroidectomy be performed by high-volume thyroid surgeons, regardless of specialty. Case volume to support surgical expertise usually must be borrowed from the adult experience, given the relative paucity of pediatric thyroidectomies at an institutional level. These surgeons should work as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes pediatric endocrinologists and anesthesiologists, pediatricians, nuclear medicine physicians, and pathologists to afford children the best clinical outcomes.

Pediatric thyroid cancers: an Indian perspective

Pediatric thyroid cancer is a rare entity accounting for less than 5% of all thyroid cancers. This intriguing disease is characterized by advanced presentation, coupled with frequent lymph nodal metastases and often pulmonary metastases. It perhaps exhibits a distinct biology and behaviour, because in spite of its aggressiveness, survival is extremely good. This mandates meticulous treatment decisions that are well executed, because the complications of therapy in patients with good survival may spell prolonged morbidity. Being an unusual disease, it is unlikely that level I evidence guiding the management will come forth. There have been controversies regarding management, and the current consensus comes from large prospective studies. There have been only a few studies from India detailing pediatric thyroid cancers. In the current discussion, we review the existing evidence about pediatric thyroid cancers, and try to have an Indian perspective at the problem.

The treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer in children: emphasis on surgical approach and radioactive iodine therapy

Pediatric thyroid cancer is a rare disease with an excellent prognosis. Compared with adults, epithelial-derived differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), which includes papillary and follicular thyroid cancer, presents at more advanced stages in children and is associated with higher rates of recurrence. Because of its uncommon occurrence, randomized trials have not been applied to test best-care options in children. Even in adults that have a 10-fold or higher incidence of thyroid cancer than children, few prospective trials have been executed to compare treatment approaches. We recognize that treatment recommendations have changed over the past few decades and will continue to do so. Respecting the aggressiveness of pediatric thyroid cancer, high recurrence rates, and the problems associated with decades of long-term follow-up, a premium should be placed on treatments that minimize risk of recurrence and the adverse effects of treatments and facilitate follow-up. We recommend that total thyroidectomy and central compartment lymph node dissection is the surgical procedure of choice for children with DTC if it can be performed by a high-volume thyroid surgeon. We recommend radioactive iodine therapy for remnant ablation or residual disease for most children with DTC. We recommend long-term follow-up because disease can recur decades after initial diagnosis and therapy. Considering the complexity of DTC management and the potential complications associated with therapy, it is essential that pediatric DTC be managed by physicians with expertise in this area.

Thyroid Nodules in Children: A Single Institution's Experience

Thyroid nodules in children are uncommon but often present an increased risk of malignancy in comparison to their adult counterpart. Multiple diagnostic modalities are frequently employed to characterize these nodules including ultrasound, radionuclide scans, fine needle aspiration (FNA), thyroid function tests, and evaluation of patient demographics. We chose to evaluate if any of these modalities influence treatment or signify a tendency for a nodule to represent a malignant lesion. A retrospective review of patients <21 years of age who underwent partial or total thyroidectomy from 2004 to 2009 was performed (IRB no. 4695). Other than an FNA indicating a malignancy, there does not appear to be any value to extensive preoperative imaging, nor can patient risk be stratified based upon age. We conclude that there is minimal utility in an extensive preoperative workup in a child with a thyroid nodule.