Thyroid cancer incidence has almost tripled since 1975 and yet mortality has remained stable, according to a new analysis reported in JAMA Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery. The authors have suggested there exists an 'epidemic of diagnosis' rather than disease. And it would appear that detection of small, indolent, papillary thyroid cancers is probably to blame.
This latest research adds further weight to calls for improved reporting of incidental thyroid nodules on CT and MRI by radiologists. It is hoped that new guidelines, such as the Duke 3-Tiered System recently blogged about by Dr Jenny Hoang, can help ensure that radiologists take an evidence based approach to thyroid nodules.
Related post: Reporting of incidental thyroid nodules on CT and MRI