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Pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma: outcomes and survival predictors in 2504 surgical patients

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate outcomes and predictors of survival of pediatric thyroid carcinoma, specifically papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Methods

SEER was searched for surgical pediatric cases (≤20 years old) of papillary thyroid carcinoma diagnosed between 1973 and 2011. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and survival outcomes were analyzed using standard statistical methods. All papillary types, including follicular variant, were included.

Results

A total of 2504 cases were identified. Overall incidence was 0.483/100,000 persons per year with a significant annual percent change (APC) in occurrence of 2.07 % from baseline (P < 0.05). Mean age at diagnosis was 16 years and highest incidence was found in white, female patients ages 15–19. Patients with tumor sizes <1 cm more likely received lobectomies/isthmusectomies versus subtotal/total thyroidectomies [OR = 3.03 (2.12, 4.32); P < 0.001]. Patients with tumors ≥1 cm and lymph node-positive statuses [OR = 99.0 (12.5, 783); P < 0.001] more likely underwent subtotal/total thyroidectomy compared to lobectomy/isthmusectomy. Tumors ≥1 cm were more likely lymph node-positive [OR = 39.4 (16.6, 93.7); p < 0.001]. Mortality did not differ between procedures. Mean survival was 38.6 years and higher in those with regional disease. Disease-specific 30-year survival ranged from 99 to 100 %, regardless of tumor size or procedure. Lymph node sampling did not affect survival.

Conclusions

The incidence of pediatric papillary thyroid cancer is increasing. Females have a higher incidence, but similar survival to males. Tumors ≥1 cm were likely to be lymph node-positive. Although tumors ≥1 cm were more likely to be resected by subtotal/total thyroidectomy, survival was high and did not differ based on procedure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Surgery, DeWitt Daughtry Family, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 N.W. 14th Street, Suite 450J, Miami, FL, 33136, USA

    Samuel Golpanian, Eduardo A. Perez, Jun Tashiro, Juan E. Sola & Anthony R. Hogan

  2. Division of Endocrine Surgery, DeWitt Daughtry Family, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    John I. Lew

Authors
  1. Samuel Golpanian
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  2. Eduardo A. Perez
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  3. Jun Tashiro
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  4. John I. Lew
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  5. Juan E. Sola
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  6. Anthony R. Hogan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anthony R. Hogan.

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Author contributions

JES, JIL, ARH, and EAP contributed to study conception and design. SG, JT, and EAP contributed to acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data. SG, JT, JES, ARH, and EAP contributed to drafting of manuscript. All authors contributed to critical revision of manuscript.

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Golpanian, S., Perez, E.A., Tashiro, J. et al. Pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma: outcomes and survival predictors in 2504 surgical patients. Pediatr Surg Int 32, 201–208 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-015-3855-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-015-3855-0

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