Thyroid neoplasm is a neoplasm or tumor

Tumor

A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...

 of the thyroid

Thyroid

The thyroid gland or simply, the thyroid , in vertebrate anatomy, is one of the largest endocrine glands. The thyroid gland is found in the neck, below the thyroid cartilage...

. It can be a benign tumor such as thyroid adenoma

Thyroid adenoma

-Types:Almost all thyroid adenomas are follicular adenomas. Follicular adenomas can be described as "cold", "warm" or "hot" depending on their level of function...

, or it can be a malignant neoplasm (thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer

Thyroid neoplasm is a neoplasm or tumor of the thyroid. It can be a benign tumor such as thyroid adenoma, or it can be a malignant neoplasm , such as papillary, follicular, medullary or anaplastic thyroid cancer. Most patients are 25 to 65 years of age when first diagnosed; women are more affected...

), such as papillary

Papillary thyroid cancer

Papillary thyroid cancer or papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common type of thyroid cancer, representing 75% to 85% of all thyroid cancer cases. It occurs more frequently in women and presents in the 30-40 year age group...

, follicular

Follicular thyroid cancer

Follicular thyroid cancer accounts for 15% of thyroid cancer which occurs more commonly in women of over 50 years old. Thyroglobulin can be used as a tumor marker for well-differentiated follicular thyroid cancer.-Classification:...

, medullary

Medullary thyroid cancer

Medullary thyroid cancer is a form of thyroid carcinoma which originates from the parafollicular cells , which produce the hormone calcitonin....

 or anaplastic thyroid cancer

Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a form of thyroid cancer which has a very poor prognosis due to its aggressive behavior and resistance to cancer treatments.-Presentation:...

. Most patients are 25 to 65 years of age when first diagnosed; women are more affected than men. The estimated number of new cases of thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer

Thyroid neoplasm is a neoplasm or tumor of the thyroid. It can be a benign tumor such as thyroid adenoma, or it can be a malignant neoplasm , such as papillary, follicular, medullary or anaplastic thyroid cancer. Most patients are 25 to 65 years of age when first diagnosed; women are more affected...

 in the United States in 2010 is 44670 compared to only 1690 deaths. Of all thyroid nodules discovered, only about 5 percent are cancerous, and under 3 percent of those result in fatalities.
The first step in diagnosing a thyroid neoplasm is a physical exam of the neck area.