Thyroid Cancer in the Pediatric Age in Sicily: Influence of the Volcanic Environment

Abstract

Background/aim: Pediatric thyroid cancer (TC) is rare but its incidence is increasing. We analyzed incidence and characteristics of pediatric TC in Sicily and comparatively evaluated data from the volcanic and non-volcanic areas.

Materials and methods: All incident pediatric (0-19 years) TCs in Sicily between 2002-2009 were analyzed for the area of residence and compared to data for adults.

Results: A total of 54 differentiated TCs (DTC) and nine medullary TCs were diagnosed in Sicily in children between 2002-2009. DTC age standardized rate for the world population (ASRw) was 0.8/10⁵ in females and 0.2/10⁵ in males, with a higher incidence in the volcanic area (ASRw=1.4/10⁵ in females, 0.5/10⁵ in males) vs. the rest of Sicily (ASRw=0.6/10⁵ in females, 0.1/10⁵ in males). Pediatric TCs were larger in size and more frequently with extrathyroid extension and lymph-node involvement in comparison to TCs in adults.

Conclusion: In the volcanic environment of Sicily, TC incidence is markedly increased in children, suggesting a short-term effect of unidentified carcinogens of volcanic origin.

Keywords: Pediatric thyroid cancer; thyroid cancer and volcanic environment; thyroid cancer epidemiology.