Are thyroid nodules common?

Yes: Thyroid nodules occur in up to 50% of the worlds population. Modern ultrasound equipment can detect very small nodules that were not detectable with older machines. Only about 5% of nodules are cancerous. Nodules tend to increase in frequency as one matures.

Very: Thyroid nodules are extremely among the general population, more so in women than men. About 80% of nodules are benign in women and about 70% are benign in men. But all nodules over 1cm should be evaluated by a specialist.

Very: Very common, more common in females than males. Majority are benign.

Incidence of nodules: Thyroid nodules are very common. 50% of 50 year olds have them. About 1/3 are discovered by the patient, 1/3 by a doctor, and the rest are incidental found on an imaging study of the head, neck, or chest.