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Published in: World Journal of Surgery 2/2021

01-02-2021 | Metastasis | Original Scientific Report

Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Children: Clinicopathological Profile and Outcomes of Management

Authors: John K. Thomas, Jujju Jacob Kurian, Anish Jacob Cherian, Julie Hephzibah, M. J. Paul, Deepak Thomas Abraham

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 2/2021

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Abstract

Background

We aim to analyze the clinicopathological profile and outcomes of management for children with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

Relevant clinical data of children ≤ 18 years of age managed for PTC between January 2006 and July 2018 as well as details of their follow-up till December 2019 were retrospectively collected and analyzed.

Results

There were 82 children with PTC that were managed during the study period. At presentation, 39 (47.6%) had cervical lymphadenopathy, while 9 (11%) had systemic metastasis. Majority of patients 39 (47.6%) underwent total thyroidectomy with a selective neck dissection, while total thyroidectomy alone was performed in 26 (31.7%). Following surgery, hypocalcemia was seen in 39 (47.6%): 28 (34.1%) were temporary, while 11 (13.4%) were permanent. Twenty-eight (34%) developed persistent disease after surgery and 131I therapy. Significant risk factors for persistence and metastatic disease were metastatic cervical lymph node at presentation (p = 0.002) and tumor size (p = 0.014), respectively. The mean duration of follow-up was 60.3 (range 12–150) months with a mean overall disease-free survival of 60 months (95% CI 57.11, 77.95).

Conclusion

Children with papillary thyroid cancers present with aggressive disease, 47.6% with cervical nodal metastasis and 11% with distant metastasis in this cohort. The rate of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia in this study is substantial, and efforts to reduce it are actively being pursued. The presence of metastatic cervical lymph node at presentation (p = 0.002) and tumor size (p = 0.014) were the only significant risk factors for persistent and metastatic disease, respectively, in this study.
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Metadata
Title
Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Children: Clinicopathological Profile and Outcomes of Management
Authors
John K. Thomas
Jujju Jacob Kurian
Anish Jacob Cherian
Julie Hephzibah
M. J. Paul
Deepak Thomas Abraham
Publication date
01-02-2021
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
World Journal of Surgery / Issue 2/2021
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-020-05817-3

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