Background

Several international pediatric guidelines for treatment of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC) exist. However discordances among these guidelines exist. Furthermore, no European or Dutch treatment recommendations for pediatric DTC are available. We aimed to develop Dutch recommendations for pediatric DTC.

Methods

A multidisciplinary working group was formed including pediatric endocrinologist, pediatric radiologist, pathologist, endocrinologist, endocrine surgeon, pediatric surgeon, pediatric oncologist, specialist nuclear medicine, clinical geneticist and a patient representative. A systematic literature search was conducted for all existing guidelines and review articles for pediatric DTC from 2000 until February 2019. The Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation (AGREE) instrument was used for assessing quality of the articles. All were compared to determine the dis- and concordances. The American Thyroid Association (ATA) pediatric guideline 2015 was used as framework to develop specific Dutch recommendations. Discussion points based upon expert opinion and current treatment management of DTC in children in the Netherlands were identified and elaborated.

Results

Based on the most recent evidence and expert opinion, a Dutch 2019 recommendation for pediatric thyroid carcinoma has been written.

Conclusion

Pediatric DTC requires a multidisciplinary approach. The Dutch Pediatric DTC Recommendation 2019 can be used for the development of a collaborative European Recommendation for treatment of pediatric DTC.