title: Differentiated follicle-derived thyroid carcinoma in children.
abstract: Fifteen patients, 11 females and 4 males, aged 4-16 years with follicle-derived differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated at the Helsinki University Central Hospital during 1953 through 1984 are reported. Histologically 13 carcinomata were papillary, 1 follicular and 1 was suspected to be follicular carcinoma (atypic adenoma). Eleven (73%) had cervical lymphnode metastases and 4 (25%) pulmonary metastases as well. All patients were initially operated on; total thyroidectomy was performed in 11 and subtotal in 4 patients. In 5 patients there was invasion into the thyroid capsule, perithyroid tissues and blood vessels; 4 patients with pulmonary metastases belonged to this group. Postoperatively 5 patients received radioactive iodine, 4 patients external irradiation to the neck and 6 were given both types of radiation. Pulmonary metastases were treated with radioactive iodine. The patients have been given suppressive doses of thyroxine. The follow-up ranged from 3.5 to 33 years. One patient with extensive pulmonary metastases died 6 years after the initial treatment, all others are still alive. Twelve patients have been followed for 9 to 33 years, in 10 serum thyroglobulin was determined. Tg was undetectable in 9 patients when measured during thyroxin therapy; in 1 patient followed for 33 years, the dose was not suppressive, and there were no signs of disease and Tg in the normal range. In 2 patients Tg could not be determined but they had no signs of disease 18 and 22 years after initial treatment. It is, therefore, presumed that these patients, forming 80% of the material, are cured. Two patients followed for 3.5 years are still under treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Third Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Lamberg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karkinen-Jääskeläinen
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Franssila
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013965:Thyroidectomy
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes