ABSTRACT
Thyroid cancer is one of the few malignancies that are increasing in incidence. Although early detection may be one reason for the rise, other variables may also be contributing to the observed increase, as the trend has been observed in both genders, and in patients of all ages and racial and ethnic groups [1–3]. Thyroid cancer is commonly diagnosed during the evaluation of a thyroid nodule that is detected either on physical examination or as an incidental finding on imaging, such as carotid ultrasound (US) or computed tomography (CT) scans of the neck or chest. With today’s sensitive CT and US technology, clinically occult nodules are being diagnosed with rising frequency. In a recent study of 635 German patients who were screened with neck US, thyroid nodules were detected in up to 68% of adults and the incidence was age dependent, with nodules diagnosed in nearly 80% of those who were >61 years old [4]. Thus, as the population ages and receives more diagnostic testing, thyroid nodules will become a commonplace finding. In the routine evaluation of thyroid nodules, the goal should be to exclude malignancy [5].
