Former Attorney General Pam Bondi, 60, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer shortly after leaving the Department of Justice in early April. She has undergone treatment and is recovering.
The thyroid is a gland in the neck that produces hormones regulating energy, body temperature, and organ function.
Thyroid cancer is relatively uncommon, though over one million people in the U.S. are living with the disease. The National Cancer Institute estimates 45,260 new cases in 2026.
Risk factors include being female, family history, age 25-65, and radiation exposure. Symptoms can include neck lumps, swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, and pain when swallowing.
Diagnosis may involve laryngoscopy, blood hormone studies, ultrasound, and CAT scans.
Treatment primarily includes surgery, often followed by regular surveillance and thyroid hormone replacement. Radioactive iodine may be added in more aggressive cases. Chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy are other options.
Prognosis is generally positive, depending on cancer type, stage, and response to treatment. Best outcomes occur when the tumor can be surgically removed completely.