Most thyroid nodules are benign, and most people with thyroid nodules will never develop thyroid cancer.
Still, certain factors are associated with a higher risk and deserve closer evaluation.
☢️ Strongly Associated Risk Factors
Radiation exposure to the head and neck, especially during childhood or adolescence Prior therapeutic radiation for benign or malignant conditions Family history of thyroid cancer (especially first-degree relatives)
🧬 Genetic & Medical Factors
Certain inherited syndromes (rare, but important) Medullary thyroid cancer associated with RET mutations Autoimmune thyroid disease (e.g., Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) increases nodule prevalence; cancer risk remains low but evaluation is important
👥 Demographic Factors
Female sex (thyroid cancer is more common in women) Age (extremes of age can influence behavior and management)
🧠 Important clarification for patients
Having risk factors does NOT mean you have cancer.
➡️ Most patients with thyroid cancer have no identifiable risk factors.
➡️ Risk factors help guide how carefully we evaluate, not whether we panic.
🔍 What matters most?
High-quality ultrasound Appropriate biopsy when indicated Expert interpretation and risk-adapted management
👨⚕️ Dr. Rodrigo Arrangoiz, MD
Surgical Oncologist – Thyroid, Head & Neck, Breast
Risk factors inform evaluation — ultrasound and pathology drive decisions.
📚 References
Haugen BR et al. ATA Guidelines for Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid Schneider AB et al. Radiation exposure and thyroid cancer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab SEER Cancer Statistics Review
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 