Management of pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer: An overview for the pediatric oncologist

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2020 Jun;67(6):e28141. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28141. Epub 2020 Apr 10.

Abstract

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the most common childhood thyroid malignancy. The standard of care for pediatric DTC is total thyroidectomy followed by radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment when indicated. Molecular changes and potential therapeutic targets have been recently described in pediatric thyroid cancer. Pediatric oncologists are increasingly involved in the evaluation of thyroid nodules in childhood cancer survivors and in the management of advanced thyroid cancer. In 2015, the American Thyroid Association published management guidelines for children with DTC. We provide an overview of the current standard of care and highlight available targeted therapies for progressive or RAI refractory DTC.

Keywords: childhood; differentiated thyroid cancer; papillary thyroid carcinoma; pediatric; radioactive iodine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / therapy*
  • Child
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disease Management
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Prognosis
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Thyroidectomy

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes