Women and thyroid cancer incidence: overdiagnosis versus biological risk.

[PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW] Our aim is to discuss the concepts of sex and gender in the context of thyroid cancer epidemiology.

[RECENT FINDINGS] It has been long-established in global epidemiologic data that thyroid cancer incidence rates are higher in women than men. However, what has been less well understood is whether this reflects sex disparities in cancer susceptibility, gender disparities in detection, or a combination. A recent meta-analysis of autopsy data from individuals who were not known to have thyroid cancer in their lifetime demonstrated no difference in the prevalence of thyroid cancer in women and men, suggesting that gender differences may be the reason for gender-based differences in thyroid cancer detection. This finding, and sex differences in auto immunity and other factors that may affect cancer susceptibility are explored.

[SUMMARY] Additional research to explore gender- and sex-specific data on thyroid cancer would inform our understanding of the differences and similarities between men and women in susceptibility and detection of thyroid cancer and help to optimize disease management for all genders and both sexes.