The same general methods of treatment are used for nodular endemic and sporadic goiters and for thyroid carcinoma (thyroid hormone, radioiodine, thyroidectomy), but their order is reversed in the case of malignancy. New tools and methods to improve therapy can be expected, but reduction in incidence of both diseases is a preferable approach. Avoidance of unnecessary exposure of the head and neck to ionizing radiation, especially during childhood, is one way to reduce the number of cases of thyroid carcinoma, Iodization of all salt for human consumption would improve the prophylaxis of goiter.