Does Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Increase Your Risk for Thyroid Cancer?
Wednesday November 12, 2008
Research just published in the Journal of Surgical Research has confirmed what other research has suggested: that having the autoimmune thyroid disease Hashimoto's thyroiditis increases the risk of developing thyroid cancer -- and in particular, the papillary form of thyroid cancer. The researchers studied almost 1200 patients who had thyroid surgery between 1994 and 2007. Of these patients, more than 200 had Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The researchers found that:
- Papillary thyroid cancer occurred in 29% of the Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients
- 29% of the women with papillary thyroid cancer also had Hashimoto's thyroiditis
- Among women with any type of thyroid malignancy, 95% who had Hashimoto's had papillary thyroid cancer
- Female Hashimoto's patients with goiters had a significantly lower rate of papillary thyroid cancer (9%) compared to women without goiters (36%) (These differences were not observed in men with Hashimoto's.)
The researchers recommend that, based on these findings, more aggressive surveillance for papillary thyroid cancer may be indicated in Hashimoto's patients, especially women.
More Info About Thyroid Cancer:
- How to Do a Thyroid Neck Self-Check
- Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis
- Thyroid Cancer Risk Factors
- Signs and Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer
Source: Repplinger, Daniel et. al. "Is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis a Risk Factor for Papillary Thyroid Cancer?" Journal of Surgical Research, Volume 150, Issue 1, Pages 49-52 (November 2008)
Photo: clipart.com
Comments
Hello
another uncomfortable conclusion from the quoted study could be, that it is favourable for female hashi-patients to have a goiter (usually a form of thyroid hyperplasia to compensate hypofunktion)? Would be interesting to know whether there is a correlation: low TSH/high risk of papillary cancer. Nevertheless I myself would rather take the increased risk of cancer than suffering from my symptoms connected with a high TSH….
Lila
Mary,
Your news story says that the study confirmed that having Hashimoto’s thyroiditis increases the risk of developing thyroid cancer. I don’t understand how it can confirm that if the study was of “1200 patients who had thyroid surgery”.
I haven’t read the study, so I’ve probably got this wrong; but on the basis of your summary above surely the best the study can tell us is that *if* you have a condition that requires thyroid surgery, then having Hashimoto’s increases the risk that you have or might get thyroid cancer? How can the study tell us anything about the risk of thyroid cancer for all those people with Hashimoto’s but who don’t have a condition needing surgery? Or is there more to it than that?
Cheers,
LW
Maybe if all the doctors would at least look into underlying iodine deficiency we could advert things like goiters, thyroid cancer,hashi’s, graves, fibrocystic breast, breast cancer, and ovarian cyst and also prostate cancer in men.
iodine4health.com
@kathy
sorry, but let me quote Rose NR/Linking iodine with autoimmune thyroiditis: “A great deal of circumstantial evidence has linked iodine with the rising incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis in the United States”. There is a body of evidence from studies following iodine-supplementation programs all over the world, that iodine induces or enhances autoimmune thyroiditis…
Lila
If indeed we that have Hashimotos are to keep a better surveilance on our thyroid what exactly does that mean? Should we just have our thyroid out so we have no chance? Maybe some one could explain how to watch our thyroid for cancer. Thanks
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s at age 25 and diagnosed with multifocal papillary cancer at age 29.
I had hypothyroidism for 8 years and had it under control. My chiropractor put me on iodine, saying it would make my hypothyroidism go away, and I developed Hashimotos and a goiter. My meds stopped working, and I had to have my thyroid removed. I am not a professional iodine expert. I am just noting my series of events. Good luck everyone.
Diane, iodine overdose combined with selenium deficiency can trigger the Hashimoto’s disease
Hi, I suffered with a thyroid problem for 20 + years. They would do a thyroid test here and there–everything normal. Mary’s web site helped me fight for the right tests and care I needed. I had no goiter; however, what I was and had been experiencing was NOT normal for me. I found that I had Hashimoto’s at age 49 and started taking medication; however, it wasn’t working for me even though the TSH came back a 1. They told me it was all in my head! After doing a little more research and pushing for more opinions, I found out that I had thyroid cancer. Yes, it’s a slow growing cancer–not to worry; however, after my surgery, I found that it had already spread to surrounding lymph nodes. To add insult to injury, my medical record revealed that I have had nodules since 1986, and the doctor didn’t indicate they needed further evaluation or monitoring, and who was I to question a doctor at that time. However, now I am much wiser and know better to trust any doctor. You must be an advocate for yourself. Also, this isn’t my first cancer. My first cancer was cervical cancer (1993); however, from my research I have learned that my cervical cancer was actually caused from the thyroid cancer. I’m sure if I had received that proper care early on treating the Hashimoto’s, I would not have had the thyroid cancer or cervical cancer or have to worry now about the cancer spreading to my lungs or bones. Listen to your body; do your research; and, keep searching for the doctor that’s willing to LISTEN to you!
Sorry, but cervical cancer is in no way caused by Thyroid Cancer or Hashimoto’s. Cervical cancer is something like 95% of the time caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) which is a STD. The other perfect of the time it is just caused by the normal issue with cancer, which is mutated genes causing cells to go hay-wire.
I want to comment on the iodine subject, too. At the age of 25, I went to the Caribbean and had fish soup. The iodine content in the water in that area is very high. I had an iodine reaction from the fish soup immediately. My throat burned like fire and my thyroid swelled up like a baseball. I was sick for a long time. 10 years later, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. It seemed to me that iodine was bad for my thyroid since I had that horrible reaction.
hi
i have hasimotos thyroidism
im on sythyroid 200 mgs now i had a ct done the results show i have hashimotos thyroidism i have overactive thyroid