Thyroid Cancer Diagnoses Expected to Drop in 2022

Thyroid cancer diagnoses are predicted to decrease slightly to 43,800 as compared to 44,280 in 2021. Deaths from thyroid cancer, however, are expected to increase slightly to 2,230 in 2022, from 2,200 in 2021. This is based on information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Cancer Society.

“We are pleased about the continuing reduction in estimated diagnoses of thyroid cancer” said ThyCa Executive Director Gary Bloom, a 26-year thyroid cancer survivor.

While most thyroid cancer is usually treatable when found early, there are rare types such as medullary, anaplastic, and more aggressive forms of papillary and follicular that are difficult to treat. Some small papillary thyroid cancers can be followed by active monitoring, rather than needing more aggressive treatment. Regardless, early detection is still important as any type of thyroid cancer becomes more difficult to treat if it has spread widely.