Global trends of 131I-therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer in children and adolescents: a bibliometric analysis (1993-2003)

This study aimed to delineate the characteristics and trends of scholarly publications within the domain of 131I-therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer in children and adolescents (caDTC) through a bibliometric approach. A retrieval of publications concerning 131I-therapy for caDTC from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database was conducted, spanning from January 1993 to December 2023. Visualization analysis was performed utilizing VOSviewer 1.6.20 and CiteSpace 6.2.R6 software. A total of 150 English publications, including articles and reviews, were analyzed in this study, with the earliest work traced back to 1994. A fluctuating yet overall ascending trend in annual publication volume was observed over the three decades, with a slight recent downturn post 2020. The United States, Italy and China emerged as the most prolific contributors. International network mapping revealed robust collaboration predominantly between European and American entities. Journals featuring predominantly in this field were primarily categorized under endocrinology, metabolism or pediatrics, with Thyroid and Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism recognized as highly influential. The "Management Guidelines for Children with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer", published in 2015, was the most frequently cited document. A total of 869 scholars published literature in this field, with high-producing scholars mainly coming from Europe and the United States. Huang Rui from China was ranked among the top ten. References and keywords clustering illuminated focal points of research such as “metastasis”, “fusion oncogene”, and “late effects”. The timelines viewer of keywords underscored enduring interest in “131I”, complimented by significant terms like “management guidelines”, “2nd primary malignancy”, and “term follow up”, encompassing standardization, efficacy, and surveillance of adverse events in 131I-therapy for caDTC. The 131I-therapy research for caDTC is largely steered by European and American efforts. China’s substantial patient demographic is positioned to enhance both domestic and international collaborative research. The current paucity of clinical standardization in 131I-therapy for caDTC needs to be addressed. Future endeavors should be scrutinizing the short and long-term efficacy of 131I-therapy of caDTC, probing into the relationship between molecular profiles such as RET fusion and the therapeutic effectiveness of 131I-therapy, and pinpointiing efficacious biomarkers for 131I-resistance, which are pivotal for informed decision-making in the therapeutic application of 131I-therapy for caDTC.