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Benign thyroid disease is associated with breast cancer: a meta-analysis

  • Epidemiology
  • Published:
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Abstract

The controversial relationship between benign thyroid diseases and breast cancer (BC) has been investigated for over 50 years. Despite extensive population studies, the results as a whole have been inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to collate and analyse available data, calculating a pooled odds ratio (OR) of the risk of BC in patients diagnosed with benign thyroid diseases. Studies were obtained from a database search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Current Contents Connect and Google Scholar with additional cross checking of reference lists. Inclusion criteria required a confirmed diagnosis of a benign thyroid disease, reporting of an OR or data to calculate an OR (and 95% confidence interval, CI) and the use of an internal control group as the comparator. Collated data was assessed for heterogeneity and a pooled OR calculated. 28 studies were included in the meta-analysis. There was significant evidence of an increased risk of BC in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, evident in a pooled OR 2.92 (95% CI 2.13–4.01). In addition, the results supported an increased risk associated with the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.63–2.50) and goitre (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.39–3.69). Subgroup analysis of antibody presence revealed increased risk associated with both anti-TPO (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.82–3.83) and anti-TG (2.71, 95% CI 1.58–4.69). Quantitative analysis of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism was not significant. While these results indicate an association between thyroid auto-immunity and BC, further prospective studies are required to definitively prove causality.

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Abbreviations

BC:

Breast cancer

AITD:

Autoimmune thyroiditis

OR:

Odds ratio

CC:

Case–control study design

CO:

Cohort study design

CS:

Cross-sectional study design

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Whiteley-Martin Research Centre, Discipline of Surgery, Sydney Medical School Nepean, Nepean Hospital, The University of Sydney, Level 5, South Block, P.O. Box 63, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia

    Prue J. Hardefeldt, Guy D. Eslick & Senarath Edirimanne

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  1. Prue J. Hardefeldt
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  2. Guy D. Eslick
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Correspondence to Guy D. Eslick.

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Hardefeldt, P.J., Eslick, G.D. & Edirimanne, S. Benign thyroid disease is associated with breast cancer: a meta-analysis. Breast Cancer Res Treat 133, 1169–1177 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-012-2019-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-012-2019-3

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