Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Several studies have demonstrated the relationship between breast cancer and thyroid cancer by the presence of common genetic determinants as well as hormonal factors. The aim of the study was to define the prevalence of breast cancer among patients followed for thyroid carcinoma and to determine the factors that favor this association.

Materials and methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted in Endocrinology and Diabetology department of IBN Rochd University Hospital of Casablanca, including 50 patients followed for thyroid carcinoma between 1986 and 2017 among all the differentiated carcinomas of the thyroid (614 patients) and presenting breast cancer. Statistical analysis performed by the software SPSS.16

Results: Prevalence of patients presenting breast cancer and thyroid cancer was 8.1% with female predominance. The mean age was 56 (35–72) years. Family history of neoplasia was found in 60% of cases. Breast cancer preceded the discovery of thyroid cancer in half of the cases with a delay of 5.8 years (6 months and 20 years). Iratherapy was performed in all patients. External radiotherapy was realized in 47% of cases for the treatment of breast cancer. Papillary carcinoma was the predominant histological type (93%). Predictor factors of this association were female patients who had the first neoplasia at a young age (<45 years), family history of neoplasia and prior external radiotherapy.

Conclusion: While waiting for confirmation of these preliminary results, several authors recommend greater vigilance regarding early detection of thyroid cancer in patients treated for breast cancer.