Evolving Understanding of the Epidemiology of Thyroid Cancer

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 1475

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
UOSD of Endocrinology, Misericordia Hospital, 58100 Grosseto, Italy
Interests: Thyroid cancer

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Guest Editor
Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Interests: gene expression; cancer research; biostatistics; diabetes; virus; pathogenesis; tumor biology; thyroid cancer; mesothelioma
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Thyroid cancer, the most common endocrine malignancy, has increased in incidence in recent decades worldwide, both in high-resource and in low- or middle-income countries.

Over-screening, defined as the diagnosis of a condition that would not have caused harm to the individual over their lifetime if left undetected, is the main factor that has contributed significantly to this rising incidence. However, the observation that larger and later-stage thyroid cancers have also increased suggests that other factors may be present, such as individual risk factors (smoke, obesity) and/or increased exposure to environmental risk factors. An accurate evaluation of etiological factors contributing to the increased incidence of thyroid cancer appears extremely important and very timely today and can lead to optimizing the diagnostic and therapeutic management of these patients. In addition, studies investigating several etiological factors may provide the current understanding of thyroid cancer epidemiology.

We are pleased to invite you to the Special Issue titled “Evolving Understanding of the Epidemiology of Thyroid Cancer”. Original research articles and reviews are welcome. 

This Special Issue aims to encompass new research articles and timely reviews on all aspects of the epidemiology of thyroid cancer.

Dr. Marco Capezzone
Dr. Anello Marcello Poma
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • thyroid cancer
  • epidemiology
  • incidence
  • time trends
  • mortality

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 4503 KiB  
Article
Thyroid Cancer Incidence and Trends in United States and Canadian Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adults
by May Z. Gao, Tariq M. Omer, Katherine M. Miller, Matthew C. Simpson, Aleksandr R. Bukatko, Kalipa Gedion, Eric Adjei Boakye, Karen M. Kost, James A. Dickinson, Mark A. Varvares and Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters
Cancers 2025, 17(9), 1429; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17091429 - 24 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Thyroid cancer incidence has risen in both the United States and Canada, despite differing healthcare systems. While overdiagnosis likely partly explains this trend in adults, its impact on younger populations is unclear. We used the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Thyroid cancer incidence has risen in both the United States and Canada, despite differing healthcare systems. While overdiagnosis likely partly explains this trend in adults, its impact on younger populations is unclear. We used the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, which included 133,808 thyroid cancer cases from the United States and Canada, to assess incidence trends among pediatric, adolescent, and young adult (PAYA) populations. Methods: Age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR) per 100,000 person-years (PY) were compared using rate ratios (RR), stratified by sex, age, race/ethnicity (United States only), and histology. Joinpoint regression estimated annual percentage changes (APC) and average APCs (AAPC) in AAIRs. From 1995 to 2014, thyroid cancer incidence increased by 137%. Significant increases occurred across all age groups (0–14, 15–24, 25–34, 35–39 years). The rate increase was highest for papillary thyroid cancer (AAPC = 5.50, 95% CI 5.06, 5.94), and among individuals aged 35–39 years (AAPC = 5.99, 95% CI 4.84, 7.15). Of racial/ethnic groups in the United States, non-Hispanic White individuals had the highest AAIR (6.22 per 100,000 PY). Mortality has changed minimally. Conclusions: Over the past two decades, thyroid cancer incidence has increased in individuals under 40. While evidence suggests that overdiagnosis primarily accounts for this trend, other contributing factors cannot be ruled out. Further research and surveillance of the drivers of increased incidence are critical. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolving Understanding of the Epidemiology of Thyroid Cancer)
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17 pages, 13208 KiB  
Article
Global Burden of Thyroid Cancer in Children and Adolescents, 1990–2021: Trends, Disparities, and Future Projections
by Tianyu Li, Zhen Cao, Chen Lin and Weibin Wang
Cancers 2025, 17(5), 892; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17050892 - 5 Mar 2025
Viewed by 861
Abstract
Background: Thyroid cancer is a rising concern in children and adolescents, with unique biological behaviors compared to adults. This study aimed to explore the epidemiological trends, pathological features, and regional disparities of thyroid cancer in this population using data from the Global Burden [...] Read more.
Background: Thyroid cancer is a rising concern in children and adolescents, with unique biological behaviors compared to adults. This study aimed to explore the epidemiological trends, pathological features, and regional disparities of thyroid cancer in this population using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. Methods: Data on thyroid cancer incidence and mortality from 1990 to 2021 were extracted for individuals under 20 years old. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated to evaluate temporal trends. The Sociodemographic Index (SDI) was applied to assess regional variations. Future trends were projected using a Bayesian age–period–cohort model. Results: From 1990 to 2021, the global incidence of thyroid cancer in children and adolescents increased significantly, with an EAPC of 1.17%. Low-SDI regions exhibited the highest rise in incidence (EAPC: 2.19%), while high-SDI regions experienced a slight decline (EAPC: −0.69%). Mortality decreased globally (EAPC: −0.27%), with notable reductions in high- and middle-SDI regions but stable or increasing rates in low-SDI regions. Females consistently exhibited higher incidence rates across all SDI levels, while males in high-SDI regions showed higher mortality rates. Future projections suggest a steady decline in incidence and mortality rates through 2050. Conclusions: The increasing incidence and persistent mortality disparities of thyroid cancer in children and adolescents highlight the need for targeted public health interventions. Regions with low socioeconomic development require prioritized strategies to address this growing burden. These findings provide crucial insights for early diagnosis, treatment optimization, and global health policy formulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolving Understanding of the Epidemiology of Thyroid Cancer)
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