Increasing incidence of thyroid cancer in the United States, 1973-2002
ContextIncreasing cancer incidence is typically interpreted as an increase in the true
occurrence of disease but may also reflect changing pathological criteria or increased
diagnostic scrutiny. Changes in the diagnostic approach to thyroid nodules may have
resulted in an increase in the apparent incidence of thyroid cancer. ObjectiveTo examine
trends in thyroid cancer incidence, histology, size distribution, and mortality in the United
States. MethodsRetrospective cohort evaluation of patients with thyroid cancer, 1973-2002�…
occurrence of disease but may also reflect changing pathological criteria or increased
diagnostic scrutiny. Changes in the diagnostic approach to thyroid nodules may have
resulted in an increase in the apparent incidence of thyroid cancer. ObjectiveTo examine
trends in thyroid cancer incidence, histology, size distribution, and mortality in the United
States. MethodsRetrospective cohort evaluation of patients with thyroid cancer, 1973-2002�…