Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT3275

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among women and a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Its rising prevalence makes it a significant public health concern. Despite extensive research, the potential link between thyroid dysfunction and BC remains controversial. The thyroid gland regulates metabolism, immune response, and cell growth, potentially influencing cancer progression. However, studies provide conflicting evidence regarding whether thyroid diseases, such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and autoimmune disorders, contribute to BC development or progression. Understanding the impact of thyroid function on BC patients undergoing chemotherapy is crucial for improving treatment strategies and patient outcomes.

Purpose: this study aims to assess thyroid function in BC patients undergoing chemotherapy and its changes during treatment.

Material and Methods: By measuring key thyroid biomarkers and analyzing their variations, the research seeks to determine whether thyroid dysfunction plays a role in BC progression or is a consequence of chemotherapy. Additionally, it examines the relationship between thyroid hormone levels and lymph node involvement, a critical prognostic factor. The study included 86 BC patients and 30 healthy controls. Assessments included:

• Measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO).

• PET-CT analysis of 18-FDG uptake in the thyroid gland.

• Evaluation of lymph node involvement via clinical and radiological data.

• Statistical analysis using SPSS v.19, with P < 0.05 considered significant.

The results. BC patients exhibited significant differences in thyroid function compared to the control group:.

• Lower TSH (1.72 ± 0.89 vs. 2.1 ± 0.74 μIU/ml, P = 0.042).

• Lower T3 (1.23 ± 0.34 vs. 1.56 ± 0.41 nmol/l, P = 0.035).

• Higher T4 (17.8 ± 3.5 vs. 14.2 ± 3.1 pmol/l, P = 0.028).

• Higher anti-TPO (64.5 ± 20.3 vs. 48.1 ± 18.7 IU/ml, P = 0.017) No significant thyroid function differences were found between invasive and ductal BC. However, lymph node involvement varied significantly (P = 0.018), suggesting a possible link between thyroid function and tumor aggressiveness.

Conclusion: BC patients show significant thyroid hormone alterations, indicating a possible interplay between thyroid function and BC. However, no direct causative link is established. Chemotherapy may contribute to thyroid imbalances. Autoimmune thyroid involvement warrants further study. Routine thyroid monitoring in BC patients could help prevent complications. Further large-scale research is needed to clarify these findings and optimize treatment strategies through a multidisciplinary approach involving oncologists and endocrinologists.