Prevalence of thyroid diseases in patients with colon cancer and benign colon polyps

A. Dirikoc; A. Oguz; E. Akin; S. Tuna; D. Ozdemir; C. Aydin; O. Ersoy; R. Ersoy; B. Cakir

Aim: In this study, we aimed to evaluate thyroid functions, thyroid antibody positivity, thyroid ultrasonography (US) findings and prevalence of thyroid cancer in patients with colon cancer and benign colon polyps. Also, we aimed to compare prevalence of thyroid diseases in two groups.

Materials and methods: Fifty-seven patients with colon cancer and 50 patients with colon polyps were included in the study. All patients were evaluated with thyroid US and thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was performed in indicated nodules.

Results: There were 57 (53.27%) patients with colon cancer and 50 (46.23%) patients with colon polyps. There was no difference in terms of age and sex distribution between groups (P=0.622 and P=0.529 respectively). Ultrasonographically, nodular and multinodular goiter was observed in 30 (52.63%) patients with colon cancer and 29 (56%) patients with polyp. FNAB was performed in 23 patients in cancer groups and 14 patients in polyp group. Cytology was reported as malignant in one patient with cancer and in one patient with polyp. In these two patients and in another colon cancer patient with suspicious FNAB result, thyroid cancer was confirmed histopathologically. Presence of thyroid disease defined as thyroid dysfunction or positive antithyroid antibody or presence of nodule or thyroiditis in US was found in 44 (77.19%) patients with cancer and 44 (88.0%) patients with polyp (P=0.228).

Conclusion: This study showed that thyroid dysfunctions, thyroid US findings and prevalence of thyroid cancer are similar in patients with colon cancer and colon polyps. Since thyroid pathologies are observed in more than tow or three of patients in both groups, we think laboratory examinations for thyroid functions and thyroid antibodies and thyroid US should be a part of investigation in patients with colon cancer and colon polyps.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.

Endocrine Abstracts

P1682