Thyroid cancer in Australia statistics
The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Thyroid cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C73 (Malignant neoplasm of thyroid gland).
Estimated number of new cases of thyroid cancer diagnosed in 2020
3,785 = 
1,041 males + 
2,744 females
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2020
2.6%
Estimated number of deaths from thyroid cancer in 2020
160 = 84 males + 
76 females
Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2020
0.3%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2012–2016)
97%
People living with thyroid cancer at the end of 2015 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2011 to 2015)
12,813
New cases
Thyroid cancer was the 9th most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2016. It is estimated that it will remain the 9th most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2020.
In 2016, there were 2,973 new cases of thyroid cancer diagnosed in Australia (783 males and 2,190 females). In 2020, it is estimated that 3,785 new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (1,041 males and 2,744 females).
Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2020
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
In 2016, the age-standardised incidence rate was 12 cases per 100,000 persons (6.2 for males and 17 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will increase slightly to 14 cases per 100,000 persons (7.6 for males and 20 for females). The incidence rate for thyroid cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 65–69 and then decreasing.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for thyroid cancer, 1982 to 2016, by sex
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
The number of new cases of thyroid cancer diagnosed increased from 363 (104 males and 259 females) in 1982 to 2,973 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 2.7 cases per 100,000 persons (1.6 for males and 3.7 for females) in 1982 to 12 cases per 100,000 in 2016.
Deaths
In 2018, there were 149 deaths from thyroid cancer in Australia (67 males and 82 females). In 2020, it is estimated that there will be 160 deaths (84 males and 76 females).
Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death, 2020
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
In 2018, the age-standardised mortality rate was 0.5 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.5 for males and 0.5 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 0.5 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.6 for males and 0.4 for females). The mortality rate for thyroid cancer is expected to increase with age.
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for thyroid cancer, 1982 to 2018, by sex
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
The number of deaths from thyroid cancer increased from 73 (27 males and 46 females) in 1982 to 149 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate was 0.6 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.5 for males and 0.7 for females) in 1982 and 0.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2018.
Survival
In 2012–2016, individuals diagnosed with thyroid cancer had a 97% chance (93% for males and 98% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2012–2016, five-year relative survival for thyroid cancer improved from 88% to 97%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for thyroid cancer, 1987–1991 to 2012–2016, by sex
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
Prevalence
For more information on cancer data, see the NCCI website
The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.
For more information on cancer data, see the NCCI website
The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.
