Geographic and Temporal Patterns of Thyroid Cancer in New York State

Since 1980, the incidence of thyroid cancer in the US has been increasing at the rate of 2.6% per year among women and 2.0% per year among men, most of which is attributable to increases in papillary carcinoma. Factors supporting the hypothesis that at least some of this increase in thyroid cancer is due to incidental diagnosis include the high prevalence of thyroid cancer found on autopsy (estimated to be 4% in the US) and increased detection and follow-up of small thyroid nodules related to increased utilization of neck ultrasound. This poster reviews the epidemiology and natural history of thyroid cancer incidence and recent temporal trends to examine the effects of incidental diagnosis.