[Childhood thyroid carcinoma: an analysis of 14 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To reveal the clinical characteristics, causes of misdiagnosis, treatment and prognosis of thyroid carcinoma in children.


METHODS
Fourteen patients under 14 years of age with thyroid carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
According to UICC's clinical and histopathologic classification (1989), there were 12 cases of papillary carcinomas (83.3%), 2 cases of follicular carcinomas (16.7%). All but one case were in stage I. Cervical lymph node metastasis was found in 12 cases (85.7%). Diagnosis was incorrect in 7 cases. All patients were operated, including unilateral neck dissection in 11 and bilateral neck dissection in 2. One patient received palliative subthyroidectomy and postoperative 131I treatment. In the follow-up period of 2 to 13 years (mean 6 years), no patient died.


CONCLUSIONS
Thyroid cancer in children are mostly papillary carcinomas with good prognosis, regardless of high frequency of cervical lymph node metastases. Early cases can be picked up if misdiagnosis be avoided.
Gong
J
J
Department of General Surgery, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Nanjing 210009, China.
Zhang
R
R
Chen
H
H
D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology