Association between Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Thyroid Cancer in 64,628 Patients

Abstract

BackgroundThe incidence of thyroid cancer (TC) is increasing although explanatory causes are lacking. A link between cancer and inflammation is well documented but unclear for autoimmune thyroid diseases and TC. We aimed to systematically review the association between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, and thyroid lymphoma (TL).MethodsPubMed, OVID Medline, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library were searched from 1955 to 2016. The inclusion criteria were age >18 years, ≥20 cases of HT or TC. We collectively examined the incidence of HT in TC and of TC in HT.ResultsWe identified 36 studies (64,628 subjects) published between 1955 and 2016 from 13 countries. We found a relative risk (RR) of HT among papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) of 2.36 [95% confidence intervals (CIs) 1.55–3.29, p < 0.001], an RR of PTC among HT of 1.40 (95% CI 1.07–1.85, p = 0.016), and an RR of TL among HT of 9.74 (95% CI 3.93–24.13, p < 0.001).ConclusionWe report an association between HT and PTC and between HT and TL. No association was found between HT and follicular, medullary, or anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Junctional adhesion molecule‐A is down‐regulated in anaplastic thyroid carcinomas and reduces cancer cell aggressiveness by modulating p53 and GSK3 α/β pathways

“…A relationship between the increased number of TAM and decreased survival was also reported in thyroid cancer patients . In addition, epidemiological data showed that the incidence of thyroid cancer is enhanced in chronic inflammations and in autoimmune thyroid diseases, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) . Interestingly, Rebuffat and colleagues reported loss of epithelium integrity and a significant reduction of Tight Junctions expression (ZO‐1, Claudin, and JAM‐A) in thyroid cells from patients affected by HT .…”

Effect of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis on the efficacy and safety of ultrasound‐guided radiofrequency ablation for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

“…Leni et al reported that one‐third of PTC cases (33.3%, 168/505) have CLT coexistence. No association has been found between CLT and follicular, medullary, or anaplastic thyroid cancer . The coexistence of PTC and CLT is reportedly associated with better prognoses, lower rates of lymph node and distant metastases, and recurrence, particularly in patients aged ≥45 years .…”

Medullary thyroid carcinoma co‐existent with Hashimoto's thyroiditis diagnosed by a comprehensive cytological approach

“…HT co‐exists with papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular adenoma, and lymphoma . The rate of occurrence of an associated carcinoma with HT in various studies has been shown up to 13% .…”

“…Fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a preliminary test to diagnose thyroid lesions. Association of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) with follicular adenoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma, and primary thyroid lymphomas has been well described . Among the rest of malignancies, medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) has been least reported in the background of existing HT .…”