Childhood Thyroid Cancer

Definition

Childhood thyroid cancer is a rare cancer that forms in the thyroid gland of children and adolescents. The most common type is papillary thyroid cancer, followed by follicular and, less frequently, medullary thyroid cancer.

Characteristics

Symptoms may include a lump in the neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, swollen lymph nodes, or neck pain. Childhood thyroid cancers often present at a more advanced stage than adult cases but generally respond very well to treatment.

Diagnosis and Prognosis

Diagnosis involves a physical exam, blood tests, thyroid ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, and sometimes molecular testing. Prognosis is excellent, with high long-term survival rates even when the disease has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Treatment

Treatment usually involves surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland, often followed by radioactive iodine therapy. Long-term thyroid hormone replacement therapy is necessary after surgery. Regular follow-up is important to monitor for recurrence.

Last Revised: 12 May , 2025