Radioactive iodine ablation therapy reduces the risk of recurrent disease in pediatric differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Background

While radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy in older adults with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) reduces recurrence, data in pediatrics remain limited. We conducted a meta-analysis to quantify outcomes and recurrence risk with RAI versus thyroidectomy alone in the pediatric population.

Methods

Systematic literature review identified 34 retrospective studies including 2913 DTC patients under age 22 years (published 2005–2023). Meta-analysis calculated pooled rates of disease persistence and recurrence. Relative risk ratios compared odds of recurrence with RAI versus no RAI.

Results

Patients had mean age 14.7 years (95 % CI, 14.2–15.2) and were 75.9 % female (95 % CI, 73.8–78.1 %). Majority (90.2 %) received RAI. Pooled persistence rate was 30.3 % (95 % CI, 21.7–39.5 %); higher with RAI (31.5 %; 95 % CI, 22.4–41.3 %) than no RAI (4.5 %; 95 % CI, 0.0–18.7 %) (OR 3.28; 95 % CI,1.82–5.91; p < 0.001). Recurrence rate was 8.97 % (95 % CI, 4.78–14.3 %). Those with RAI had 53.1 % lower recurrence risk versus no RAI (RR 0.47; 95 % CI, 0.27–0.82; p = 0.007). Median follow-up was 7.2 years (95 % CI, 5.8–8.5 years), with no association between follow-up duration and recurrence (r = −0.053; p = 0.80).

Conclusions

RAI therapy as an adjunct to thyroidectomy is associated with a significantly lower risk of long-term recurrence in pediatric DTC. These findings advocate for the use of RAI in preventing recurrence among high-risk pediatric patients with DTC.