You may want to ask your doctor these questions before having a biopsy:

  Will I have to go to the hospital for the biopsy?
  How long will it take?
  Will I be awake? Will it hurt?
  Are there any risks? What are the chances of infection or bleeding after the biopsy?
  How long will it take me to recover?
  Will I have a scar on my neck?
  How soon will I know the results? Who will explain the results to me?
  If I do have cancer, who will talk to me about the next steps? When?

US Mortality

From 2004-2008, the median age at death for cancer of the thyroid was 74 years of age. Approximately 0.1% died under age 20; 0.8% between 20 and 34; 2.2% between 35 and 44; 7.8% between 45 and 54; 16.9% between 55 and 64; 24.4% between 65 and 74; 30.4% between 75 and 84; and 17.3% 85+ years of age.

The age-adjusted death rate was 0.5 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are based on patients who died in 2004-2008 in the US.

SEER Incidence

From 2004-2008, the median age at diagnosis for cancer of the thyroid was 49 years of age3. Approximately 1.7% were diagnosed under age 20; 16.0% between 20 and 34; 20.8% between 35 and 44; 24.2% between 45 and 54; 18.3% between 55 and 64; 11.4% between 65 and 74; 6.1% between 75 and 84; and 1.4% 85+ years of age.

The age-adjusted incidence rate was 11.0 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are based on cases diagnosed in 2004-2008 from 17 SEER geographic areas.