This study aims to define the optimal surveillance strategy for children exposed to radiotherapy by assessing the incidence, risk factors, and timing of thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. It also investigates the genetic features of thyroid tumors in this population to identify predictive biomarkers of onset, malignancy, and aggressiveness. Ultimately, the goal is to support more personalized management, including tailored surgery and targeted therapies.
Eligibility
Sex
ALL
Min age
10 Years
Max age
43 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
INCLUSION CRITERIA
For the group of oncologic patients who underwent radiotherapy:
* Radiotherapy for an oncologic condition performed between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2018;
* Age at the time of radiotherapy \< 18 years;
* Follow-up of at least 4 years conducted at the Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases Program, Pediatric Unit, IRCCS AOU Bologna;
* Obtained informed consent
For the group of subjects not exposed to radiotherapy and without specific risk factors for DTC:
* No history of exposure to ionizing radiation;
* No specific risk factors for DTC (autoimmune thyroiditis, familial forms, genetic syndromes);
* Thyroid ultrasound performed between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2018, at the Nuclear Medicine Unit of IRCCS AOU Bologna;
* Age at the time of the thyroid ultrasound \< 18 years;
* Obtained informed consent
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
For the group of oncologic patients who underwent radiotherapy:
* Patients transferred to another center before completing 4 years of follow-up after radiotherapy at the Pediatric Unit of IRCCS AOU Bologna, without having received a diagnosis of thyroid cancer.
For the group of subjects not exposed to radiotherapy and without specific risk factors for DTC:
* None.
Primary outcome measure(s)
To calculate the incidence of thyroid nodules and/or thyroid cancer in patients who were exposed and not exposed to radiotherapy — At 4 years after radiotherapy for the radiotherapy-exposed group; At the time of ultrasound for the non-radiotherapy group Presence of thyroid nodules and/or thyroid cancer (yes/no)
"To identify risk factors for the development of thyroid nodules and/or thyroid cancer in patients who underwent radiotherapy during childhood — At 4 years after radiotherapy Presence of thyroid nodules and/or thyroid cancer (yes/no)
Trial sites (2)
Facility
City
Region
Status
UO Medicina Nucleare - IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna
Bologna
Italy
Recruiting
UOC Pediatria - IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna
Bologna
Italy
Recruiting
More IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna trials in Italy
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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