Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma During Childhood and Adolescence: A Report of 4 Cases

Abstract Background: Thyroid carcinoma is uncommon in children, but there has been a rising incidence in recent time. This study was undertaken to determine the pattern in Kano. Patients and Methods: Four cases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in children and adolescents seen between October 1997 and September 2005 were retrospectively studied. The parameters studied included the demographic, and clinicopathologic characteristics, and treatment outcome. Results: There were 3 females and 1 male(M:F=1:3), with a mean age of 13.2 years. All the patients presented with asymptomatic thyroid nodule, with cytological diagnosis of malignancy in 3. There were no serious complications after total thyroidectomy. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma in 3 patients,and one case of follicular thyroid carcinoma. Two out of the 3 papillary thyroid cancers were multicentric. Follow up was poor,the longest period being one year. Conclusion: DTC in children and adolescence present most commonly as a solitary thyroid nodule. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an important means in preoperative investigations. Total thyroidectomy by experienced thyroid surgeons, has reduced morbidity and mortality.