Thyroid cancer risk and follow-up after childhood radiotherapy

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study follows children who received radiotherapy before age 18 and compares them with unexposed pediatric controls to determine how often and when thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer occur. Participants receive early and intensive clinical and ultrasound follow-up and available thyroid lesions undergo genetic analysis on cytology and surgical specimens to look for predictive biomarkers. Researchers will analyze incidence, timing, and risk factors to define optimal surveillance schedules that balance early detection with practicality and patient burden. The genetic findings aim to inform personalized surgical decisions and the potential use of targeted therapies in this post-radiotherapy pediatric population.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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.

Where it's running

• UO Medicina Nucleare - IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna
  Bologna, Italy Recruiting
• UOC Pediatria - IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna
  Bologna, Italy Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Federico Baronio
• Email: federico.baronio@aosp.bo.it
• Phone: 00390512144816

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.