Section Editor: Jason Wasserman MD PhD FRCPC
May 25, 2026
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck. It makes hormones that control how the body uses energy. The thyroid is most often examined because of a lump, called a nodule, found during an exam or on imaging. It can be sampled with a needle (a fine needle aspiration biopsy) or removed with surgery. A pathologist examines the sample under a microscope and describes what they see in your pathology report.
This page brings together our guides to conditions found in the thyroid gland. The articles are grouped by type to help you find the one that matches your diagnosis. Select any article below to learn more.
Understanding thyroid nodules
Most thyroid conditions are first noticed as a lump called a nodule. If you are just getting started, this overview explains what a thyroid nodule is and how it is checked.
A thyroid nodule is a lump in the thyroid gland. Most thyroid nodules are noncancerous, but some are cancer. This article explains what a thyroid nodule is, how it is checked, and what the results can mean.
You may find this helpful if you have been told you have a thyroid nodule, or you want a general overview before reading about a specific diagnosis.
Cancers of the thyroid
These diagnoses are cancers that develop in the thyroid gland. Most thyroid cancers grow slowly and have an excellent outlook, although a few types grow more quickly. The articles explain how each type is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common type of thyroid cancer. It usually grows slowly and has an excellent outlook. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions papillary thyroid carcinoma, the most common type of thyroid cancer.
Follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma
Follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma is a common type of papillary thyroid carcinoma. This article explains what this diagnosis means and how it differs from other types.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Follicular carcinoma is the second most common type of thyroid cancer. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions follicular carcinoma of the thyroid.
Oncocytic carcinoma is a type of thyroid cancer made of large cells called oncocytes. This article explains what this diagnosis means and what your pathology report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions oncocytic carcinoma of the thyroid, also called Hurthle cell carcinoma.
Hurthle cell carcinoma is another name for oncocytic carcinoma, a type of thyroid cancer made of large cells called oncocytes. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions Hurthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid.
Medullary thyroid carcinoma is an uncommon type of thyroid cancer that develops from cells called C cells. It can sometimes be linked to an inherited condition. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Cribriform morular thyroid carcinoma
Cribriform morular thyroid carcinoma is a rare type of thyroid cancer. It can sometimes be linked to an inherited condition. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions cribriform morular thyroid carcinoma.
Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma is an uncommon type of thyroid cancer that tends to grow more quickly than the common types. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a rare, fast-growing type of thyroid cancer. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what your pathology report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.
Uncertain and borderline diagnoses
These diagnoses describe thyroid tumors and findings that fall between clearly noncancerous and cancerous. Some are neoplasms with very low risk, and others are categories used when more information is needed to be sure. The articles explain what each diagnosis means.
Follicular neoplasm is a category used when a thyroid nodule is made of follicular cells that cannot be confirmed as noncancerous or cancerous without surgery. This article explains what this result means and what usually happens next.
You may find this helpful if your biopsy result is follicular neoplasm.
Suspicious for follicular neoplasm
Suspicious for follicular neoplasm is a biopsy category that means the same thing as follicular neoplasm: the nodule is made of follicular cells and cannot be confirmed as noncancerous or cancerous without surgery. This article explains what this result means.
You may find this helpful if your biopsy result is suspicious for a follicular neoplasm.
Non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features
This diagnosis, often shortened to NIFTP, is a thyroid tumor that is not considered a cancer. It has a very low risk of growing or spreading. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features, or NIFTP.
A hyalinizing trabecular tumor is an uncommon thyroid tumor that almost always behaves in a harmless way. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a hyalinizing trabecular tumor of the thyroid.
Noncancerous tumors and nodules
These diagnoses are noncancerous tumors and nodules of the thyroid. They are not cancer and are very common. Several different names are used for these findings, and the articles explain what each one means.
A follicular adenoma is a common, noncancerous tumor of the thyroid gland. This article explains what this diagnosis means and how it is treated.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a follicular adenoma of the thyroid.
An oncocytic adenoma is a noncancerous thyroid tumor made of large cells called oncocytes. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an oncocytic adenoma of the thyroid, also called a Hurthle cell adenoma.
A Hurthle cell adenoma is another name for an oncocytic adenoma, a noncancerous thyroid tumor made of large cells called oncocytes. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a Hurthle cell adenoma of the thyroid.
Benign follicular nodule is a general term for a common, noncancerous thyroid nodule made of follicular cells. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a benign follicular nodule.
An adenomatoid nodule is a common, noncancerous thyroid nodule. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an adenomatoid nodule of the thyroid.
Follicular nodular disease is a common, noncancerous condition in which the thyroid gland contains multiple nodules. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions follicular nodular disease, also called multinodular goiter.
Nodular thyroid hyperplasia is an older name for follicular nodular disease, a common, noncancerous condition in which the thyroid contains multiple nodules. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions nodular thyroid hyperplasia.
Diffuse papillary hyperplasia is a noncancerous change in which the whole thyroid gland becomes overactive and enlarged. It is often related to a condition called Graves disease. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions diffuse papillary hyperplasia.
Inflammatory and other conditions
These diagnoses are other noncancerous conditions of the thyroid. They are not cancer. The articles explain what each diagnosis means and what a pathologist looks for.
Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis
Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is a common, noncancerous condition in which the immune system causes long-lasting inflammation of the thyroid. It is also called Hashimoto thyroiditis. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or Hashimoto thyroiditis.
A thyroglossal duct cyst is a noncancerous cyst in the neck that is present from birth. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a thyroglossal duct cyst.
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