Papillary Cancer of the Thyroid Gland in Childhood and Adolescence: A Review of 3 Patients.

Lee,  Jin Woo; Moon,  Jin Hwa; Shin,  Jeh Hoon; Lee,  Hang

Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab > Volume 4(2); 1999 > Article

Case Report

Journal of Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology 1999;4(2): 237-242.

Papillary Cancer of the Thyroid Gland in Childhood and Adolescence: A Review of 3 Patients.

Jin Woo Lee, Jin Hwa Moon, Jeh Hoon Shin, Hang Lee

Abstract

Thyroid cancer is not only an infrequent cancer, but also is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system. When thyroid cancer occurs in childhood and adolescence, it is an unusual but interesting malignancy. Thyroid cancer in childhood and adolescence has a slightly lower preference for female than for male subjects, as compared to adult patients. With regard to the pathogenesis the only factor definitely known to promote development of thyroid cancer in the pediatric age group is irradiation. The evidence demonstrates that thyroid carcinoma in the pediatric age group is a biologically self-reliant and more hostile nature than in adults but paradoxically the prognosis is good. Enhanced survival resulting from advances in therapy in patients with Hodgkin's disease is associated with long-term morbidity, including the potential for the development of a second solid malignancy. Second malignant neoplasms(SMNs) have become a principal consideration in evaluating the prolonged consequences of strategy in pediatric oncology. Thyroid carcinoma has proven to be a common SMN. We have experienced 2 cases of papillary thyroid cancer following radiation therapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma and a papillary thyroid cancer with pulmonary metastases.