According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 43,800 individuals (11,860 men and 31,940 women) will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the United States in 2022, and approximately 2230 individuals (1070 men and 1160 women) will die from the disease.1-3 This cancer originates in the thyroid gland, which is part of the endocrine system that controls heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and metabolism by secreting hormones.1,2 Thyroid cancer is the twelfth most common cancer in the United States, representing 2.3% of all new cancer cases, and is the seventh most common cancer in women.2,3 Although the death rate for thyroid cancer increased slightly (0.6% per year) from 2009 to 2018, this rate has been stabilizing in recent years.1 How much do you know about thyroid cancer?
The main types of thyroid cancer are differentiated (papillary, follicular, and Hürthle cell), medullary, and anaplastic.1 Approximately 80% of thyroid cancers are papillary carcinomas, which tend to grow slowly and usually develop in only 1 lobe of the thyroid gland.1,2 Follicular, Hürthle cell, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid cancers comprise approximately 10%, 3%, 4%, and 2% of cases, respectively.1 The 5-year overall survival rate for thyroid cancer is 99.9% for localized papillary, follicular, and medullary thyroid cancers, and 34% for localized anaplastic thyroid cancer.1-3 For all stages combined, the 5-year relative survival rate is approximately 100% for papillary disease, 98% for follicular disease, 89% for medullary disease, and 7% for anaplastic disease.1 Public awareness of thyroid cancer needs to remain a priority to improve diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes.
To sign up for our newsletter or print publications, please enter your contact information below.
