[2][3] The estimated number of new cases of thyroid cancer in the United States in 2023 is 43,720 compared to only 2,120 deaths.

A family doctor may conduct blood tests, an ultrasound, and nuclear scan as steps to a diagnosis.

Thyroid nodules are very common and around 80 percent of adults will have at least one by the time they reach 70 years of age.

If the nodule is benign, patients may receive thyroxine therapy to suppress thyroid-stimulating hormone and should be reevaluated in six months.

[2] However, if the benign nodule is inhibiting the patient's normal functions of life; such as breathing, speaking, or swallowing, the thyroid may need to be removed.

[citation needed] Sometimes only part of the thyroid is removed in an attempt to avoid causing hypothyroidism.

Problems with the voice, nerve or muscular damage, or bleeding from a lacerated blood vessel are rare but serious complications that may occur.

[2] External irradiation may be used when the cancer is unresectable, when it recurs after resection, or to relieve pain from bone metastasis.