Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is cancer of the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the throat. The thyroid uses iodine, a mineral found in some foods and in iodized salt, to help make several hormones that control heart rate, body temperature, metabolism, and the amount of calcium in the blood.

Thyroid cancer can either be described as differentiated thyroid cancer or medullary thyroid cancer. Differentiated thyroid cancer includes well-differentiated tumors (such as papillary thyroid cancer and follicular thyroid cancer) and poorly differentiated and undifferentiated tumors (anaplastic thyroid cancer), which are less common.

According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 44,020 people in the United States were diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2025, and about 2,290 died of the disease. Thyroid cancer is highly treatable, and the five-year relative survival rate is estimated at 98.4%.

Thyroid cancer is about three times more common among women than it is among men. Age (being between 25 and 65), having a history of an enlarged thyroid, and exposure to radiation are also risk factors.

Thyroid Cancer Screening (PDQ®) Thyroid Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)

Source: National Cancer Institute