Differentiated thyroid cancer in patients with prolactinoma

Abstract

Background/aim: Increasing evidence is available about the role of prolactin in the development of various cancers. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the frequency of thyroid cancer in patients with prolactinoma followed at a single site. Materials and methods:The medical records of 182 patients diagnosed with prolactinoma were reviewed retrospectively. Serum prolactin, antithyroglobulin, antithyroid peroxidase antibody, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free T4, and free T3 values and pituitary gland magnetic resonance imaging and thyroid ultrasound reports were evaluated.Results: Forty-five (39.5%) patients were found to have a thyroid nodule (13 solitary, 32 multiple). Ten patients were administered a thyroidectomy, and differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) was detected in 6 of these patients (6/114, 5.3%). One patient had lung metastasis. The control group consisted of 113 individuals (101 females, 12 males with a mean age of 32.1 ± 9.1). In the ultrasound reports, 28 of these individuals (24.8%) had a thyroid nodule (5 solitary, 23 multiple), and one individual (1/113, 0.8%) had DTC. Conclusion:When compared to the control group, thyroid volume and thyroid nodularity were significantly higher in patients with prolactinoma (P < 0.001, P = 0.018, respectively); however, no statistically significant difference existed for the incidence of thyroid cancer (P = 0.196).

Prevalence of Thyroid Disease in Patients Surgically Treated for Pituitary Disease

“…A possible role of TSH hypersecretion in the development of thyroid tumors was suggested in previous studies [27]. Tam et al reported that patients with prolactinomas showed increased thyroid nodule frequency and thyroid volume, and increasing evidence is available on the role of prolactin in the development of various cancers [28]; however, the relationship between prolactin levels and cancer risk is still controversial.…”