535 Childhood- and juvenile thyroid carcinomas

The authors report on the late prognosis and biological properties of thyroid carcinomas in 36 patients, developed before the age of 20. All patients underwent surgical treatment and were followed up from 1962 to 1994. Papillary carcinoma was diagnosed in 30, follicular carcinoma in 4, and medullary carcinoma in 2 patients. In 11 cases cervical lymphnode excision or cytologic examination was performed before the operation, that verified the diagnosis. 24 of the 36 patients had T-2 tumors at the time of the operation. Lymph node metastasis was found in 21, lung metastasis was found in only one patient. Total thyroidectomy was performed in 18, subtotal thyroidectomy in 9 and lobectomy with isthmus resection in 9 patients. Thyroiditis accompanying the carcinonoma was diagnosed in 3 patients. Regional lymph node recurrence occurred in 8 cases. One patient was lost only, due to local recurrence. All of the patients were given thyroid hormone replacement. 20 patients became pregnant after the treatment, and 25 infants were born.