Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in metastasized breast cancer

Fragestellung:

Thyroid hormone receptors have been detected to be abundantly expressed in breast cancer tissue. However, the frequency of thyroid dysfunction in metastasized breast cancer (mBC) and whether it may influence quality of life or prognosis (QoL) of mBC remains largely unclear.

Methodik:

This study is a registered sub-study within the PRAEGNANT (NCT02338167) trial. Data reported were collected from all PRAEGNANT patients (n = 392) recruited at the NCT Heidelberg between 09/2014 – 08/2017. Clinical (n(initially cT3/4)= 70 (26,8%); n(initially N+)= 177 (63,2%), n(initially G3)= 107 (27,4%)) and follow-up data were prospectively documented. Subtypes were distributed as follows: n(HRpos+Her2neg)= 237, n(HRpos+Her2pos)= 43, n(HRneg+Her2pos)= 18, n(HRneg+Her2neg)= 24. Additionally, data concerning TSH, fT3/fT4 serum levels and history of thyroid comorbidities were collected from patient files.

Ergebnis:

Data on TSH were available in 360 (91,8%) patients. Median count of TSH measurements per patient was 7,5. Taking into account all TSH measurements (n = 4033) performed during time on study median TSH was 1,25 [mU/l] (range: 0,01 – 104,32). 189 (48,2%) patients were diagnosed a TSH out of normal range, n (TSH< 0,4)= 122 (31.3%), n (TSH> 4,0)= 67 (17,0%)) at least once during the observation period of the study. 123 (31,3%) patients received thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

A history of thyroid dysfunction, most commonly hypothyroidism, was known in 127 (32,4%) cases. We found no relation of thyroid dysfunction to subtype, stage or grading.

Schlussfolgerung:

This analysis found a high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in mBC patients. Whether thyroid comorbidities may alter the patients' clinical performance status, QoL or even prognosis is part of ongoing analysis.