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Risk of malignant neoplasms in acromegaly: a case-control study
K Wolinski1, A Stangierski2, K Dyrda2
1Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 49 Przybyszewskiego Street, 60-355, Poznan, Poland. kosma1644@poczta.onet.pl.
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
|October 23, 2016
Summary
Patients with acromegaly have a significantly higher risk of developing malignant neoplasms compared to controls. This includes a notable increase in thyroid cancer risk, underscoring the need for vigilant screening.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Acromegaly is a chronic condition caused by excess growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1.
- Acromegaly is associated with various complications, including cardiovascular issues, respiratory problems, and an elevated risk of neoplasms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the risk of malignant neoplasms in patients diagnosed with acromegaly.
- To compare the incidence of malignancies in acromegaly patients against a control group.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of medical records from 200 patients with acromegaly treated between 2005 and 2016.
- Comparison with a sex- and age-matched control group of 145 patients with prolactinomas or inactive pituitary lesions.
Main Results:
- Malignant neoplasms were diagnosed in 13.5% of acromegaly patients versus 4.1% in the control group (p=0.003).
- Thyroid cancer incidence was significantly higher in acromegaly patients (7.0% vs 1.4%, p=0.02).
- Breast cancer was observed in 5.4% of women with acromegaly, with none in the control group (p=0.02).
Conclusions:
- Acromegaly patients exhibit a significantly increased prevalence of malignant neoplasms.
- A fivefold increase in thyroid cancer risk was noted, emphasizing the need for systematic screening.
- Further research is warranted to identify specific malignancies and quantify risks in acromegaly.
