Research article
Breast cancer in association with thyroid disorders
-
* Corresponding author: Orhan Turken oturken@hotmail.com
1 GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Medical Oncology Department, KadIkoy, Istanbul, Turkey
2 GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Nuclear Medicine Department, KadIkoy, Istanbul, Turkey
3 GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, General Surgery Department, KadIkoy, Istanbul, Turkey
4 GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Endocrinology Department, KadIkoy, Istanbul, Turkey
5 GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Hematology Department, KadIkoy, Istanbul, Turkey
Breast Cancer Res 2003, 5:R110-R113 doi:10.1186/bcr609
See related Commentary http://breast-cancer-research.com/content/5/5/235
Published: 5 June 2003Abstract
Background
The relationship between breast cancer and thyroid diseases is controversial. Discrepant results have been reported in the literature. The incidences of autoimmune and nonautoimmune thyroid diseases were investigated in patients with breast cancer and age-matched control individuals without breast or thyroid disease.
Methods
Clinical and ultrasound evaluation of thyroid gland, determination of serum thyroid hormone and antibody levels, and fine-needle aspiration of thyroid gland were performed in 150 breast cancer patients and 100 control individuals.
Results
The mean values for anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies were significantly higher in breast cancer patients than in control individuals (P = 0.030). The incidences of autoimmune and nonautoimmune thyroid diseases were higher in breast cancer patients than in control individuals (38% versus 17%, P = 0.001; 26% versus 9%, P = 0.001, respectively).
Conclusion
Our results indicate an increased prevalence of autoimmune and nonautoimmune thyroid diseases in breast cancer patients.