Researchers looked at the risk of other cancer developing among people who had thyroid cancer. The studies, conducted in Europe, Canada, Australia and Singapore, followed approximately 35,000 people who had thyroid cancer over a 25 year period, looking for subsequent cancers. A total of 2821 people had second primary cancers after their primary thyroid cancer, and the risk of developing a second cancer appeared to be unrelated to sex, type of thyroid cancer, age at first cancer or follow up period.

Following primary thyroid cancer there was increased risk of developing cancer of the adrenal glands, soft tissue sarcoma, bone cancer, kidney cancer, and leukemia. Interestingly, researchers also found an increased rate of thyroid cancer after a primary cancer at these same sites. There was also and increase in breast cancer and lymphoma after thyroid cancer, and a higher risk of thyroid cancer after lung and larynx cancers.

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Source: Sandeep, TC et. al. "Risk of second cancers among people with thyroid cancer - treatment effects or common aetiology?" Endocrine Abstracts 9 OC35. April 2005