Thyroid cancer in adolescents and young adults: a population-based study in 185 countries worldwide
An erratum to this article was published (Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol, Jan 2026 ↗)
Authors' conclusion
The epidemiological profile of thyroid cancer among AYAs indicates a large expansion of overdiagnosis to younger populations. Increased efforts are required to prevent unnecessary diagnosis and treatment due to overuse of diagnostic procedures.
Study context
- Population
- Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) aged 15–39 years, 185 countries worldwide185 countries
- Outcome
- Trends (average annual percent changes of age-standardised incidence rates) and current burden of thyroid cancer among AYAs
- Follow-up
- 2003-2017; 2022
Methodological details185 countries, CI5plus, WHO Mortality and GLOBOCAN databases
- 185 countries
- CI5plus, WHO Mortality and GLOBOCAN databases
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Thyroid cancer incidence, mortality and burden among AYAs
- Countries with average annual percent change of incidence >10% (2003-2017)
- 6
- Countries with average annual percent change of incidence >5% (2003-2017)
- 19
- New cases in 2022
- ≈237 000
- Deaths in 2022
- around 2100
- Countries where thyroid cancer ranked among top three most diagnosed cancers, females
- 100
- Countries where thyroid cancer ranked among top three most diagnosed cancers, males
- 26
- Share of all new cancer cases, female AYAs (2022); second after breast cancer
- 20.3%
- Share of all new cancer cases, male AYAs (2022); most common cancer
- 13.6%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Incidence-to-mortality ratios
- Ratio for thyroid cancer, females, in some countries
- exceeded 3300
- Ratio for thyroid cancer, males, in some countries
- exceeded 600
- Ratio for other cancer types
- <100
Variation and correlation with human development index (HDI)
- Incidence varied greatly by country, continent and HDI; mortality less variable
- HDI strongly and positively correlated with incidence; association with mortality negative but weak
Original publication
Thyroid cancer in adolescents and young adults: a population-based study in 185 countries worldwide. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. Published 19 November 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →