Childhood thyroid carcinoma:a clinical analysis of 60 cases / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of thyroid carcinoma in childhood. Methods Sixty patients under 14 years of age with thyroid carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Results Forty-nine suffered from papillary carcinoma, eight were with follicular carcinoma and three with medullary carcinoma. Cervical lymph node metastasis was found in 36 cases (60%). Operations included unilateral total thyroidectomy and isthmectomy in 20 cases (33.3%), unilateral total thyroidectomy and contralateral subtotal thyroidectomy in 36 cases (60%) and total thyroidectomy in 4 cases (6.7%). The follow-up period was 1 to 20 years (mean 10.5 years), and the survival rate of 5 and 10 years were 93% and 87.1% respectively. Conclusions Most thyroid carcinoma in children is well differentiated and the prognosis is good. A proper surgical procedure and postoperative comprehensive therapy are important for good outcome.