Condition Overview
Pediatric thyroid nodules are abnormal growths that occur within the thyroid gland in children. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck and is responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and development. While thyroid nodules are relatively rare in children compared to adults, their presence can be concerning due to the higher likelihood of malignancy in pediatric cases.
Most pediatric thyroid nodules are discovered incidentally during routine physical exams or imaging studies performed for other reasons. Symptoms, when they occur, may include a noticeable lump in the neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, hoarseness, or persistent cough. In some cases, thyroid nodules may be asymptomatic and only detected through ultrasound or other diagnostic procedures. In other cases, parents and doctors may suspect a thyroid nodule due to a family history or known family risk of thyroid cancer.
Evaluation of pediatric thyroid nodules typically involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and specialized tests such as thyroid function tests, ultrasound imaging, and fine-needle aspiration biopsy. These steps help determine the nature of the nodule—whether it is benign or malignant—and guide appropriate treatment options.
A Few Possible Treatment Options
- Thyroid Lobectomy
- Description: This surgical procedure involves the removal of one of the two lobes of the thyroid gland. It is often recommended when a nodule is confined to one side of the thyroid and there is a suspicion or confirmation of malignancy. Interestingly, thyroid lobectomy is less utilized in children than it is in adults.
- Indications: Single nodule suspected of being cancerous, large benign nodules causing symptoms, nodules with indeterminate biopsy results.
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
- Description: RFA is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat generated by radiofrequency energy to destroy abnormal thyroid tissue. This technique can effectively reduce the size of benign nodules and improve symptoms without the need for open surgery.
- Indications: Benign thyroid nodules causing symptoms, patients seeking non-surgical treatment options.
- Total Thyroidectomy
- Description: This surgery involves the complete removal of the thyroid gland. In adults, it is typically reserved for cases where multiple nodules are present, the nodule is confirmed to be malignant, or there is a history of radiation exposure or familial thyroid cancer. In children, it may be used more frequently because problems at a young age may suggest that there will be more problems in the future. BUT, this is something that should be discussed carefully with an experience endocrinologist and surgeon. Because any complications could have results that endure for a much longer time, reducing the risk of complications as much as possible should be the primary objective. Surgeons who do more cases, have better outcomes, and seeking for a dedicated pediatric surgeon usually results in finding a surgeon with less experience. This should be weighed carefully.
- Indications: Confirmed thyroid cancer, multiple nodules with suspicious features, patients with a high risk of malignancy.
Proper management of pediatric thyroid nodules requires a multidisciplinary approach involving pediatric endocrinologists, surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists to ensure the best possible outcomes for young patients. Having an experienced team such as that at the Russell Center ensures that you will have access to the widest range of options for pediatric thyroid nodules.
