PurposeDespite the fact that the androgen receptor (AR) is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer, its prognostic effect remains controversial. In this meta-analysis, we explored AR expression and its impact on survival outcomes in breast cancer.MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Ovid databases and references of articles to identify studies reporting data until December 2013. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed by extracting the number of patients with recurrence and survival according to AR expression.ResultsThere were 16 articles that met the criteria for inclusion in our meta-analysis. DFS and OS were significantly longer in patients with AR expression compared with patients without AR expression (odds ratio [OR], 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.90; OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.38-0.73, respectively). In addition, hormone receptor (HR) positive patients had a longer DFS when AR was also expressed (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.41-0.98). For patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), AR expression was also associated with longer DFS and OS (OR, 0.44, 95% CI, 0.26-0.75; OR, 0.26, 95% CI, 0.12-0.55, respectively). Furthermore, AR expression was associated with a longer DFS and OS in women (OR, 0.42, 95% CI, 0.27-0.64; OR, 0.47, 95% CI, 0.38-0.59, respectively). However, in men, AR expression was associated with a worse DFS (OR, 6.00; 95% CI, 1.46-24.73).ConclusionExpression of AR in breast cancer might be associated with better survival outcomes, especially in patients with HR-positive tumors and TNBC, and women. Based on this meta-analysis, we propose that AR expression might be related to prognostic features and contribute to clinical outcomes.

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Background and Objectives:Although the thyroid cancer occurs in every one of 1000 pregnant women, the optimal timing of surgery is still uncertain. The aim of this study is to propose the timing of surgical management of papillary thyroid cancer in pregnant woman. Materials and Methods: The authors reviewed the medical records of papillary thyroid cancer patients diagnosed during pregnancy in our hospital from May 1st, 2013 to April 30th, 2015. We analyzed the changes of radiologic and pathologic findings during prenatal and postpartum period. Results: 17 of 4978 patients were diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. 10 of 17 patients enrolled in this study. Each size of thyroid cancer in 1st trimester, in 2nd trimester, in 3rd trimester, and after delivery was 11.30±6.01 mm, 12.74±7.79 mm, 13.82±9.93 mm, and 13.82±8.19 mm, respectively. No patient showed the recurrence or death after surgery. Conclusion: There was no statistical significance on the prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer during prenatal and postpartum period. The authors propose that the surgical treatment of papillary thyroid cancer diagnosed during pregnancy could be delayed after delivery.