Abstract
We performed a study to investigate the status of thyroid nodules and thyroid functions in Chinese breast cancer women. The clinical data of female patients with breast cancer or benign breast diseases and normal populace were evaluated. The thyroxine(T4) level in initially diagnosed breast cancer patients were significantly higher than those in benign breast diseases patients (7.68±1.51 vs 7.29±1.52ug/dl, p<0.001), while the TSH levels were slightly lower than in benign breast diseases patients(3.23±4.59 vs 3.60±6.74uIU/ml, p=0.302). The overall incidence of hypothyroidism in initially diagnosed breast cancer and benign breast diseases patients were 28.65% and 32.74%(p=0.195). During chemotherapy, the T4(7.08±1.69ug/dl), fT3(2.87±0.48pg/ml) and fT4(0.83±0.15ng/dl) levels were significantly lower than in initially diagnosed breast cancer patients(7.68±1.51ug/dl, 3.07±0.50pg/ml, 0.88±0.20ng/dl, p<0.05). The incidence of thyroid nodules in initially diagnosed breast cancer patients, benign breast diseases patients and healthy population were 56.17%, 43.64%, 34.49%(p<0.001). The incidence of TI-RADS≥4 TN in initially diagnosed breast cancer patients and benign breast diseases patients were significantly higher than in normal population(7.27% vs 9.45% vs 2.87%, p<0.001). The incidence of TI-RADS≥4 thyroid nodules in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy was significantly higher than in initially diagnosed breast cancer patients(11.71% vs 7.27%, p<0.05). These data indicate that the incidence of thyroid disease in breast disease patients is higher than in normal population in China, and the breast diseases, especially breast cancer, might be related to the high incidence of thyroid nodules.
Highlights
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women globally and ranks as the second leading cause of cancer death among women and, by far is the second common cancer in the world [1]
The mean age of initially diagnosed BC patients were significantly older compared to Breast Benign Disease (BBD) patients
The T4, T3, fT4 levels in patients with initially diagnosed BC patients were higher than those in BBD patients, suggesting that high Thyroid hormones (TH) levels might be associated with increased risk of BC
Summary
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women globally and ranks as the second leading cause of cancer death among women (after lung cancer) and, by far is the second common cancer in the world [1]. The prevalence of thyroid nodules(TN) has increased significantly in China in recent years [3]. Both breast and thyroid gland are hormone sensitive organs. Recent studies have found that estrogen is a potent growth factor both for benign and malignant thyroid cells that may explain the difference in the prevalence of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer [4]. Significant correlations of the expression of TRs were found with further prognostic histopathological parameters such as tumor size, axillary lymph node involvement, grading and hormone receptor status [9].the relationship between thyroid disease and breast disease was unknown. We aimed to perform a study to investigate the status of thyroid function and thyroid nodules in Chinese breast cancer patients
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