Pediatric Head and Neck Malignancies

Abstract

The incidence of head and neck malignancies among children younger than 15 years in the United States from 1973 through 1996 increased at a greater rate than childhood cancer in general.

Spectrum of head and neck cancer in children

“…Head and neck cancers were most frequent among teenagers 15–18 years old (39%), followed by children 4 years or younger (27%), 10–14 years (21%), and 5–9 years (13%). [4] The overall sex ratio in favor of the males was comparable with the studies where the male:female ratio were 1.5:1[5] and 1.16:1. [11] However, in the latter study incidence increased in girls with age and exceeded that of boys in the age group between 10 and 14 years.…”

“…In this subset, the incidence rate increased from 1.10 to 1.49 cases/100,000 person-years in the same timeframe—an increase of 35%. [4]…”

Juvenile thyroid malignancy

“…[12] Given the relatively well defined histological types of malignancy and proper understanding of the natural history of the specific subtype, one would think about its straight forward management. On the contrary, because of the lack of sufficient comparative studies in the pediatric age group between the type of surgeries for management and relatively slow growth of the common type of thyroid malignancy there is no consensus for its management.…”

“…[2] Differentiated thyroid carcinomas constitute 95% of the thyroid malignancy of the pediatric age group. [12] Medullary thyroid malignancy comprises rest of the five per cent and anaplastic type is very rare. [23] Most of the patients are more than 10 years of age and five times female preponderance.…”

“…[1] It constitutes only one to five per cent of pediatric malignancy. [2–5] Nodular presentation is even rarer albeit the malignant potential of the nodule is about 30%.…”