Thyroid Cancer

Cancers largely develop due to mutations that result in cells growing and multiplying uncontrollably. Cells that would typically die instead continue to survive. The cells then accumulate and form a mass or tumor. There are three different types of pediatric thyroid cancers:

• Papillary thyroid carcinoma starts in the cells that produce thyroxine. This is the most common type of thyroid cancer among children. It tends to grow slowly but can spread to the lymph nodes and, in rare instances, to sites distant from its origin.
• Follicular thyroid carcinoma also develops in the cells that make iodine-containing hormones. Since they tend to affect older people, they are less common in kids.
• Medullary thyroid carcinoma is rare; they stem from the cells that produce calcitonin. They tend to spread to other parts of the body and, in pediatric populations, are most commonly associated with genetic conditions (like multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2).

This type of childhood cancer is more common in females when compared to males. In addition to certain genetic syndromes, risk factors for pediatric thyroid cancer include having a family history, previous damage to the thyroid gland (autoimmune thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s disease), and radiation exposure.

Your child may describe a persistent tight or full feeling in the neck. They may develop problems with breathing or swallowing. You may notice a lump on their neck and changes in their voice, such as hoarseness. 

As with all HN cancers, a specialized pediatric cancer treatment team will develop a treatment plan based on numerous factors, including the subtype of cancer and its stage/how far the cancer has progressed or spread. Surgery may involve removing part or all of the thyroid gland. More aggressive approaches may be needed in children with papillary and follicular cancers because they tend to be diagnosed later, and these cancers also tend to spread. By performing a total thyroidectomy, the risk of recurrence is minimized. However, de-escalation of thyroid surgery may be feasible in select pediatric cancer patients. Nearby lymph nodes may also need to be removed. Thyroid hormone supplementation may be necessary to help slow the growth of residual cancer cells. When cancer has spread to other parts of the body, treatments like immunotherapy or targeted therapies can disrupt the cancer cell’s ability to grow and multiply.

The Pediatric Head and Neck Cancer Foundation is here to help. We are proud to serve as both a trusted resource and as a network of support for children, their families, clinicians, and other catalysts for change to combat this pediatric cancer crisis. We welcome your contacting us at pediatricheadneckcancer@gmail.com.