Context: Little is known about long-term quality of life (QoL) of survivors of pediatric differentiated
thyroid carcinoma. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate generic health-related QoL (HRQoL),
fatigue, anxiety, and depression in these survivors compared with matched controls, and to evaluate
thyroid cancer–specific HRQoL in survivors only.
Design: Survivors diagnosed between 1970 and 2013 at age #18 years, were included. Exclusion
criteria were a follow-up ,5 years, attained age ,18 years, or diagnosis of DTC as a second
malignant neoplasm (SMN). Controls were matched by age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Survivors
and controls were asked to complete 3 questionnaires [Short-Form 36 (HRQoL), Multidimensional
Fatigue Inventory 20 (fatigue), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (anxiety/depression)].
Survivors completed a thyroid cancer–specific HRQoL questionnaire.
Results: Sixty-seven survivors and 56 controls. Median age of survivors at evaluation was
34.2 years (range, 18.8 to 61.7). Median follow-up was 17.8 years (range, 5.0 to 44.7). On most
QoL subscales, scores of survivors and controls did not differ significantly. However, survivors
had more physical problems (P = 0.031), role limitations due to physical problems (P = 0.021),
and mental fatigue (P = 0.016) than controls. Some thyroid cancer–specific complaints (e.g.,
sensory complaints and chilliness) were present in survivors. Unemployment and more extensive
disease or treatment characteristics were most frequently associated with worse QoL.
Conclusions: Overall, long-term QoL in survivors of pediatric DTC was normal. Survivors experienced
mild impairment of QoL in some domains (physical problems, mental fatigue, and various thyroid
cancer–specific complaints). Factors possibly affecting QoL need further exploration
