Abstract: Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and treatment of thyroid carcinoma in children and adolescents. Methods A retrospective analysis of 32 patients with thyroid carcinoma younger than 18 years of age who underwent surgical treatment was performed. Results The 32 patients studied included 8 boys and 24 girls. The age at the onset of disease was less than 14 years in 11 patients and more than 14 years in 21 patients. Bilateral and unilateral thyroid lesions were found in 19 and 13 patients, respectively. While 23 patients had multiple lesions, 9 had single lesions. The tumor size was greater than 1 cm in 30 patients and less than 1 cm in 2 patients. Confirmed thyroid papillary and follicular thyroid carcinomas were diagnosed in 27 and 5 patients, respectively. Cervical lymph node metastasis occurred in 25 patients, and the transfer rate was 78.13%. Lymph node transfer in the Ⅰ-Ⅵ neck region and upper mediastinum occurred at rates of 3.13%, 31.25%, 31.25%, 37.50%, 9.38%, 68.75%, and 25.00%, respectively. While thyroid invasion was found in 12 patients, lung and lymph node metastases were seen in 5 and 10 patients, respectively. All patients received follow-up for 1-14 years, all survived except for one patient lost. Conclusion Differentiated thyroid carcinoma in children and adolescents is highly invasive with high metastatic and recurrence rates but low mortality. Total thyroidectomy and standard neck dissection, therefore, should be highly valued.

Key words: Child, Differentiated thyroid carcinoma, Surgical procedures, operative