Long-term Survival Rates in Young Patients With Thyroid Carcinoma

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Abstract
THYROID NODULES are less frequent in children than in adults.1,2 However, when present, they are more likely to be malignant.3-6 The incidence of thyroid tumors has been increasing in various countries throughout the past few decades,7-9 composing about 1% of all malignant neoplasias.10 The occurrence of thyroid carcinoma in those younger than 18 years is relatively rare (3%-6.3% of these cases).11-13 The most frequent thyroid carcinoma in young people is the papillary carcinoma, predominantly found in adolescent girls. It is associated with a greater risk of lymph nodal metastases. However, the prognosis in these patients is better when compared with that of adults.12,14,15 On the other hand, the surgery used in the treatment of thyroid carcinoma in childhood is associated with a greater incidence of complications12,16; in addition, local and distant recurrences have been described, even after several years.16,17