Thyroid nodules can occur in anyone, but certain factors make them more likely.
👥 Common Risk Factors
Age: Nodules become more common as we get older Female sex: Women develop thyroid nodules 3–4 times more often than men Iodine imbalance: Both deficiency and excess can play a role Family history: Thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer in first-degree relatives Autoimmune thyroid disease: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis increases nodule prevalence
☢️ Higher-Risk Situations
Radiation exposure to the head and neck, especially during childhood Prior radiation therapy for acne, tonsils, or cancer (historical treatments) Certain genetic syndromes (rare, but important)
🧠 Important clarification
Having risk factors does not mean a thyroid nodule is cancer.
➡️ Even in higher-risk individuals, most nodules are benign.
🔍 What matters most?
Risk factors help guide how closely we evaluate, but ultrasound findings ultimately determine:
Cancer risk Need for biopsy Follow-up strategy
📌 Key point for patients:
A thyroid nodule should never be ignored — but it should also never cause unnecessary fear. Proper, evidence-based evaluation is the answer.
Haugen BR et al. ATA Guidelines for Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid Guth S et al. Very high prevalence of thyroid nodules. Thyroid Gharib H et al. Evaluation and Management of Thyroid Nodules. Endocrine Practice
My name is Rodrigo Arrangoiz I am a breast surgeon/ thyroid surgeon / parathyroid surgeon / head and neck surgeon / surgical oncologist that works at Center for Advanced Surgical Oncology in Miami, Florida.
I was trained as a surgeon at Michigan State University from (2005 to 2010) where I was a chief resident in 2010. My surgical oncology and head and neck training was performed at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia from 2010 to 2012. At the same time I underwent a masters in science (Clinical research for health professionals) at the University of Drexel. Through the International Federation of Head and Neck Societies / Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center I performed a two year head and neck surgery and oncology / endocrine fellowship that ended in 2016.
Mi nombre es Rodrigo Arrangoiz, soy cirujano oncólogo / cirujano de tumores de cabeza y cuello / cirujano endocrino que trabaja Center for Advanced Surgical Oncology en Miami, Florida.
Fui entrenado como cirujano en Michigan State University (2005 a 2010 ) donde fui jefe de residentes en 2010. Mi formación en oncología quirúrgica y e n tumores de cabeza y cuello se realizó en el Fox Chase Cancer Center en Filadelfia de 2010 a 2012. Al mismo tiempo, me sometí a una maestría en ciencias (investigación clínica para profesionales de la salud) en la Universidad de Drexel. A través de la Federación Internacional de Sociedades de Cabeza y Cuello / Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center realicé una sub especialidad en cirugía de cabeza y cuello / cirugia endocrina de dos años que terminó en 2016.
View all posts by Rodrigo Arrangoiz MS, MD, FACS, FSSO
Rodrigo Arrangoiz MS, MD, FACS, FSSO 