Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Adolescent Patients: A Single Center Study

Abstract

Background and Objective: The management of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (PTC) is influenced by factors such as patient age and clinical characteristics. However, the clinical features of PTC in adolescents (ages 10-19) have not been widely studied. Adolescents may present unique biological behaviors and treatment responses compared to pediatric and adult patients. This study aims to provide an initial understanding of the clinical features, prognosis, and treatment outcomes of PTC in adolescent patients to inform more tailored management strategies for this age group. Methods: This is a quantitative descriptive study utilizing secondary data from medical records. The data were analyzed to assess clinical characteristics, staging, treatment responses, and recurrence rates in adolescent patients with PTC. Results: The study included 7 adolescent patients with PTC, all female and at least 15 years old, with all cases classified as stage 1 (no distant metastasis). Variations were observed in tumor size, regional lymph node metastasis (based on TNM staging), treatment responses, and risk stratification according to American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines. Three of the seven cases experienced recurrence. These findings suggest differences in the clinical characteristics of adolescent patients compared to pediatric patients, indicating potential distinctions in biological behavior. Conclusion: Despite variations in tumor characteristics and treatment responses, the prognosis for adolescents with PTC is generally favorable, similar to pediatric patients. However, recurrence in some cases highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and personalized treatment. Further research is necessary to better understand the relationship between clinical features, risk factors, and prognosis to improve management strategies for adolescent PTC patients.