Thyroid cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C73 (Malignant neoplasm of thyroid gland).

New cases

Thyroid cancer was the ninth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2017. It is estimated that it will remain the ninth most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2021.

In 2017, there were 3,154 new cases of thyroid cancer diagnosed in Australia (879 males and 2,275 females). In 2021, it is estimated that 3,830 new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (1,070 males and 2,760 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 83 (or 1.2%) risk of being diagnosed with thyroid cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 145 or 0.69% for males and 1 in 58 or 1.7% for females).

Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2021

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 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 2017, the age-standardised incidence rate was 12 cases per 100,000 persons (6.9 for males and 18 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will increase to 14 cases per 100,000 persons (7.7 for males and 20 for females). The incidence rate for thyroid cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 65–69 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for thyroid cancer, 1982 to 2017, by sex

Notes: 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables

The number of new cases of thyroid cancer diagnosed increased from 361 (104 males and 257 females) in 1982 to 3,154 in 2017. 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 2017.

Deaths 

In 2019, there were 142 deaths from thyroid cancer in Australia (77 males and 65 females). In 2021, it is estimated that there will be 156 deaths (85 males and 71 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 2,131 (or 0.05%) risk of dying with thyroid cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 1,869 or 0.05% for males and 1 in 2,484 or 0.04% for females).

Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death, 2021

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 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 2019, the age-standardised mortality rate was 0.4 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.5 for males and 0.4 for females). In 2021, 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 2019, by sex

Notes: 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables

The number of deaths from thyroid cancer increased from 73 (27 males and 46 females) in 1982 to 142 in 2019. 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 0.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2019.  

Survival 

In 2013–2017, 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 1988–1992 and 2013–2017, five-year relative survival for thyroid cancer improved from 89% to 97%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for thyroid cancer, 1988–1992 to 2013–2017, by sex

Notes:

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables

Prevalence 

At the end of 2016, there were 2,881 people living who had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer that year, 13,366 people living who had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 37,960 people living who had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016).

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.