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Increasing Detection and Increasing Incidence in Thyroid Cancer

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Abstract

Background

It has been proposed that the increasing incidence of thyroid cancer is due to increasing detection.

Methods

Using administrative data, we compare by year from 1993 to 2006, the rates of diagnostic imaging tests of the neck (computed axial tomography—CT, magnetic resonance imaging—MRI, and non-obstetrical ultrasound—US) to the incidence of thyroid cancer for the population of the Province of Ontario Canada.

Results

Women and men have different rates of tests, and those rates reflect the rates of new diagnoses of thyroid cancer.

Conclusions

The rising incidence of thyroid disease in women is associated with increasing numbers of diagnostic imaging tests.

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Acknowledgments

This project was funded by a peer reviewed competition within the Endowment Fund of the Clinical Teachers of Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario Canada. Dr. Hall was funded during this time by the New Investigator Program of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

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Correspondence to Stephen F. Hall.

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Hall, S.F., Walker, H., Siemens, R. et al. Increasing Detection and Increasing Incidence in Thyroid Cancer. World J Surg 33, 2567–2571 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-009-0226-9

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