Can we still consider thyroid hyperfunction a protective condition for the onset of thyroid cancer?

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Thyroid cancer is a common endocrine carcinoma.
• Hyperthyroidism was previously thought to be protective against thyroid neoplasms.
• Recent evidence suggests differentiated thyroid carcinomas and hyperthyroidism may coexist.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the incidence of differentiated thyroid carcinomas in patients with hyperfunctioning thyroid disease undergoing thyroid surgery.
• To determine if hyperthyroidism offers protection against thyroid neoplasms.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 1,449 patients who underwent thyroid surgery between 2010-2018.
• Division of patients into two groups: hyperfunctioning thyroid disease (Group A) and non-hyperfunctioning (Group B).
• Collection of demographic, cytological, surgical, diagnostic, and complication data; statistical significance set at P < 0.05.

Main Results:

• Lower incidence of thyroid carcinomas in hyperthyroid patients compared to non-hyperthyroid patients.
• Tumor aggression and invasiveness were comparable between groups.
• Equal incidence of microcarcinomas and occult carcinomas observed in both groups.

Conclusions:

• Hyperthyroidism is confirmed as a protective factor against thyroid carcinoma.
• The equivalent incidence of occult carcinomas highlights the necessity of preoperative cytological examination for nodular pathology in hyperthyroid patients.