Increase in Thyroid Cancer Puzzles Experts

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The most pronounced increase was seen in primary tumors under 1.0 centimeters -- small ones for which many experts consider it safe to take a wait-and-see approach. The rate for these tumors rose almost 10 percent per year in men (1997 to 2005) and 8.6 percent per year in women (1988 to 2005).

But the authors also saw a 3.7 percent annual increase in tumors exceeding 4 centimeters in men and a 5.7 percent yearly rise in these tumors in women.

Cancers that had spread also increased in men by 3.7 percent annually and in women by 2.3 percent.

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Thyroid cancer can be caused by exposure to radiation but there has been no evidence of increased exposure to radiation among Americans.

"People have looked at background radiation and nothing really has come of that that's very useful. And certainly not useful to us in why there would be a bump in incidence in the last 15 years," Davidson said.

Chen proposed in the study that environmental, dietary and genetic issues be explored.

More information

There's more on thyroid cancer at the American Cancer Society.

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