Risk prediction in children and adults less than 45 years old with papillary thyroid cancer

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The incidence of papillary thyroid cancer is increasing faster than any other cancer in young patients. The purpose of this review is to discuss the most recent determinants of risk of recurrence and compromised outcomes in this population.Areas covered: This review discusses the most updated data on patient age, including children and young adults, extent of disease and subsequent dynamic staging over time, molecular markers for disease aggressiveness, adequacy of surgical resection and surgeon volume, and novel therapies for advanced non-resectable disease as predictors of patient outcomes.Expert commentary: Young patients enjoy excellent outcomes, with long-term survivorship, but face higher risks of short-term complications and disease recurrence. Thoughtful evaluation of the extent of disease, tumor features associated with more aggressive behavior, the presence of locoregional or distant metastases, and an understanding of molecular changes in their tumors are important areas o...