**1. Introduction**

Thyroid nodules are common and increase with age, especially in iodine-deficient areas [1]. One-third of screened adult cohorts in Europe have a thyroid abnormality on ultrasound [2]. Detected thyroid nodules are investigated to establish a benign or malignant diagnosis and the treatment plan for each of these outcomes is informed by national and international guidelines [3,4]. However, the guidelines rarely include economic considerations.

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), an umbrella term for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), follicular thyroid cancer (FTC), and Hürthle cell thyroid cancer (HTC) represents approximately 95% of all thyroid cancers [5]. The incidence of DTC has been increasing for the last three decades, but the disease-specific mortality remains stable. Most patients have an excellent prognosis, so the increasing diagnoses have created a vast pool of thyroid cancer survivors that require follow-up. This paper aims to reflect on the health economic considerations associated with the increasing diagnosis and treatment of DTC.
