Optimizing thyroid nodule care to reduce thyroid cancer burden
Official title: Optimization of Thyroid Nodule Care Delivery to Reduce the Burden of Thyroid Cancer
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11376160 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-scientist at a major university is exploring better ways to manage thyroid nodules in adults to lower the risk and impact of thyroid cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 9, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $182,456 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA273047-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11376160 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with thyroid nodules or a history of thyroid cancer risk who are receiving or could receive thyroid nodule care in real-world clinical settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to thyroid nodules or those not engaged in typical care pathways for thyroid nodules may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to improve how thyroid nodules are managed in real-world clinical settings, including use of telehealth and newer non-surgical treatments. It will gather real-world data on practice patterns, patient experiences, and outcomes to identify opportunities to reduce overdiagnosis and overtreatment. The work focuses on adult patients and will leverage existing clinical workflows at the University of Michigan to understand how care delivery can be optimized for safety, efficiency, and patient well-being.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience more precise care for thyroid nodules, fewer unnecessary procedures, and less worry related to cancer risk.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown that real-world data can improve care patterns, but granular, real-world thyroid nodule care data and telehealth optimization remain emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Debbie Wan Hua — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Chen, Debbie Wan Hua
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.