ENT Liu Knowledge Base Head & neck tumours · physician reviewed
Thyroid Cancer · Understanding the disease

Why is thyroid cancer incidence rising so fast in South Korea and other wealthy countries?

Reviewed: 8 November 2026 By: Xiangpeng Liu, MD Topic: Thyroid Cancer Answer length: short, citable
Quick answer

Most of the rise is overdiagnosis: widespread neck ultrasound detects tiny papillary cancers that would never have caused symptoms or death. South Korea has the highest reported incidence in Asia (39.5/100,000 in women), yet thyroid cancer mortality remains low and stable. In other words, more cancers are being found, not necessarily more dangerous ones.

In detail

The 2026 Asian GLOBOCAN analysis found a strong correlation between incidence and human development index, and explicitly discussed reducing overdiagnosis as a public-health priority. This is why several guidelines now accept active surveillance for carefully selected low-risk microcarcinomas.

What this means in practice: this answer is part of the “Understanding the disease” section of the Thyroid Cancer topic. If you are comparing treatment options, also read how to compare a second opinion and which records to send.

Other common questions about thyroid cancer

See all 14 questions in this topic →

Sources for this answer

  1. Thyroid cancer in Asia: incidence, mortality in 2022, and future projections to 2050 European Journal of Cancer Prevention · 2026 · South Korea had the highest ASR in Asia: 7.6/100,000 in men and 39.5/100,000 in women.
  2. Global Cancer Facts & Figures, 5th Edition (GLOBOCAN 2022 tables) American Cancer Society · 2024
  3. Thyroid Cancer (patient information) US National Cancer Institute · 2025

Written and medically reviewed by Xiangpeng Liu, MD

Associate Chief Physician, ENT & Head/Neck Surgery · Chenzhou First People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, Hunan, China

Editorial policy & reviewer credentials · All sources

← Previous questionCan thyroid cancer be prevented? Next question →Can a small papillary thyroid cancer be watched instead of removed?

Need an opinion on your own case?

International patients can request a preliminary review based on pathology and imaging before travelling to China.

How the pathway works Send an enquiry

Medical disclaimer: This knowledge base is general information for people researching head and neck tumours, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. It does not replace an examination by a qualified physician. Survival figures are population averages, not predictions for an individual. Treatment and cost estimates for China are illustrative only and must be confirmed in writing after your records have been reviewed. If you have a symptom lasting more than two to three weeks, see a doctor promptly.