How Common Is Thyroid Cancer? (Putting Risk in Perspective)
Hearing the word cancer is frightening—but it’s important to understand the actual risk.
📊 How common is thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer accounts for ~1–2% of all cancers Although diagnoses have increased (largely due to better imaging), most thyroid cancers are low-risk Survival rates are excellent, especially when detected early
🧠 What does this mean for patients?
Only 5–10% of thyroid nodules are cancer The most common type, papillary thyroid cancer, has a >95% long-term survival Many patients can be treated with limited surgery or even active surveillance
🔍 Why are we diagnosing more thyroid cancer?
Widespread use of high-resolution ultrasound Detection of small, clinically indolent tumors ➡️ This is why risk stratification and thoughtful management are critical—to avoid overtreatment.
🦋 The big picture
Thyroid cancer is:
✔️ Commonly curable
✔️ Often slow-growing
✔️ Best managed with individualized, evidence-based care
👨⚕️ Dr. Rodrigo Arrangoiz, MD
Surgical Oncologist – Thyroid, Head & Neck, Breast
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.
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Rodrigo Arrangoiz MS, MD, FACS, FSSO 