Clinical course, radiodiagnosis and therapy of thyroid cancer in children and juveniles

One hundred and two patients (18 boys and 84 girls) aged 7-17 with thyroid cancer have been investigated and treated. Whole-body scintigraphy after administration of 37-200 MBq of Na131 I has been established to be the most informative diagnostic procedure which allows to visualize thyroid tumor and its metastases as well as to determine the tumor functional activity. In metastatic involvement of the lung parenchyma, intensive accumulation of I-131 was observed. After administration of combined radiotherapy resorption of metastatic neck lymphatic nodes occurred 2 years later,disappearance of metastases in the lungs and bones was noted within 6 months'- 5 years period at systematic administration of radioiodine therapy