Lobectomy or total thyroidectomy in pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis

In brief

This systematic review compares surgical approaches for pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer, evaluating recurrence and mortality outcomes between total thyroidectomy and lobectomy. The analysis addresses the unique clinical considerations in pediatric thyroid malignancy management.

• Pediatric thyroid cancer differs from adult disease in presentation, management, and outcomes—requiring age-specific treatment strategies.
• Total thyroidectomy vs. lobectomy remains a key surgical decision point in pediatric DTC, balancing radicality with morbidity.
• Recurrence and mortality rates differ between surgical approaches; meta-analysis data can guide individualized surgical planning.
• Conservative lobectomy may be appropriate in select pediatric DTC cases, challenging the historical default of total thyroidectomy.
• Contemporary evidence supports tailoring surgical extent to tumor characteristics and patient factors rather than one-size-fits-all resection.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.