Cancer of the Thyroid in Children

Abstract

ASURVEY of 15,000 thyroid operations performed at the Lahey Clinic shows that 258 cases, or 1.7 per cent, were diagnosed as primary malignancy of the thyroid gland. Six of the cases were in children under fourteen years of age, the youngest in this group being six years, the oldest thirteen. Three of the six have been previously reported by Cattell (1). A review and the subsequent course of these cases is given, in addition to the report of three new cases. There is considerable discrepancy among experienced pathologists regarding the proper classification of thyroid malignancy. We are accustomed to and use Dr. Shields Warren's classification. While it does not reach Dr. Warren's ideal, it is a satisfactory working classification from the clinical point of view.