Goitre and thyroid lumps

Abstract

Thyroid swellings are relatively common; they are three times more common in females than males. The incidence of palpable nodules is approximately 5% in women and 1% in men. Thyroid cancer constitutes less than 1% of all malignancies registered in the UK, with an incidence of approximately 5 per 100 000 women and 2 per 100 000 men. However, thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy and accounts for more than 90% of cancers of the endocrine glands. Over the last decade the incidence of thyroid cancer in the UK has increased by more than two-thirds (68%).