Age-related characteristics in differentiated thyroid cancer: a 20-year single-center retrospective analysis in pediatric and adolescent patients

Abstract Objective: To characterize a cohort of pediatric thyroid cancer patients, focusing on clinical features and outcomes stratified by age. Subjects and methods: This retrospective analysis included 63 pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer patients treated at a Portuguese pediatric referenc...

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Main Authors: Laura Leite-Almeida, Rita Santos Silva, Margarida Vicente-Ferreira, Carla Costa, Norberto Estevinho, Cíntia Castro-Correia, Sofia Ferreira, Maria Bom-Sucesso
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025-04-01
Series:Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2359-39972025000201102&lng=en&tlng=en
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author Laura Leite-Almeida
Rita Santos Silva
Margarida Vicente-Ferreira
Carla Costa
Norberto Estevinho
Cíntia Castro-Correia
Sofia Ferreira
Maria Bom-Sucesso
author_facet Laura Leite-Almeida
Rita Santos Silva
Margarida Vicente-Ferreira
Carla Costa
Norberto Estevinho
Cíntia Castro-Correia
Sofia Ferreira
Maria Bom-Sucesso
author_sort Laura Leite-Almeida
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective: To characterize a cohort of pediatric thyroid cancer patients, focusing on clinical features and outcomes stratified by age. Subjects and methods: This retrospective analysis included 63 pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer patients treated at a Portuguese pediatric reference hospital over a period of 20 years. Data extracted from clinical records covered demographics, clinical presentation, family history, tumor characteristics, treatment modalities, complications, disease status, and survival outcomes. Patients younger than 12 years were compared to those aged 12 and older. Results: The mean age at diagnosis of the sample was 14.5 years, with a preponderance of female patients. Clinical presentation varied significantly between age groups; younger patients were more likely to present palpable cervical lymph nodes, while older patients frequently had solitary thyroid nodules. Family history and identifiable risk factors were similar across groups. However, older patients had higher rates of prior neoplasia and radiation exposure. Age also influenced surgical treatment and outcomes, including complications and recurrence rates. Conclusion: Our findings corroborate previous evidence on the predominance of papillary carcinoma and the association between radiation exposure and thyroid cancer. Younger patients demonstrated more aggressive tumor characteristics and higher recurrence rates, underscoring the need for age-specific management strategies. Early detection, comprehensive surgical intervention, and multidisciplinary follow-up are essential for achieving optimal outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-b23ef7d30fc84efd821bbf89d6cd0c7e2025-08-20T03:11:28ZengBrazilian Society of Endocrinology and MetabolismArchives of Endocrinology and Metabolism2359-42922025-04-0169210.20945/2359-4292-2024-0333Age-related characteristics in differentiated thyroid cancer: a 20-year single-center retrospective analysis in pediatric and adolescent patientsLaura Leite-Almeidahttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2319-1332Rita Santos Silvahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0338-3399Margarida Vicente-Ferreirahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8385-5041Carla Costahttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4294-9604Norberto Estevinhohttps://orcid.org/0009-0001-2607-3465Cíntia Castro-Correiahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-5967-0231Sofia Ferreirahttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7947-0598Maria Bom-Sucessohttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4611-3329Abstract Objective: To characterize a cohort of pediatric thyroid cancer patients, focusing on clinical features and outcomes stratified by age. Subjects and methods: This retrospective analysis included 63 pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer patients treated at a Portuguese pediatric reference hospital over a period of 20 years. Data extracted from clinical records covered demographics, clinical presentation, family history, tumor characteristics, treatment modalities, complications, disease status, and survival outcomes. Patients younger than 12 years were compared to those aged 12 and older. Results: The mean age at diagnosis of the sample was 14.5 years, with a preponderance of female patients. Clinical presentation varied significantly between age groups; younger patients were more likely to present palpable cervical lymph nodes, while older patients frequently had solitary thyroid nodules. Family history and identifiable risk factors were similar across groups. However, older patients had higher rates of prior neoplasia and radiation exposure. Age also influenced surgical treatment and outcomes, including complications and recurrence rates. Conclusion: Our findings corroborate previous evidence on the predominance of papillary carcinoma and the association between radiation exposure and thyroid cancer. Younger patients demonstrated more aggressive tumor characteristics and higher recurrence rates, underscoring the need for age-specific management strategies. Early detection, comprehensive surgical intervention, and multidisciplinary follow-up are essential for achieving optimal outcomes.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2359-39972025000201102&lng=en&tlng=enAdolescentsFollicular thyroid cancerThyroid cancerpapillaryPediatricsThyroid neoplasms
spellingShingle Laura Leite-Almeida
Rita Santos Silva
Margarida Vicente-Ferreira
Carla Costa
Norberto Estevinho
Cíntia Castro-Correia
Sofia Ferreira
Maria Bom-Sucesso
Age-related characteristics in differentiated thyroid cancer: a 20-year single-center retrospective analysis in pediatric and adolescent patients
Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Adolescents
Follicular thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer
papillary
Pediatrics
Thyroid neoplasms
title Age-related characteristics in differentiated thyroid cancer: a 20-year single-center retrospective analysis in pediatric and adolescent patients
title_full Age-related characteristics in differentiated thyroid cancer: a 20-year single-center retrospective analysis in pediatric and adolescent patients
title_fullStr Age-related characteristics in differentiated thyroid cancer: a 20-year single-center retrospective analysis in pediatric and adolescent patients
title_full_unstemmed Age-related characteristics in differentiated thyroid cancer: a 20-year single-center retrospective analysis in pediatric and adolescent patients
title_short Age-related characteristics in differentiated thyroid cancer: a 20-year single-center retrospective analysis in pediatric and adolescent patients
title_sort age related characteristics in differentiated thyroid cancer a 20 year single center retrospective analysis in pediatric and adolescent patients
topic Adolescents
Follicular thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer
papillary
Pediatrics
Thyroid neoplasms
url http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2359-39972025000201102&lng=en&tlng=en
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