Publication:

TSH receptor antibodies in breast cancer and benign breast disease: a hospital based study

Background Associations between breast cancer, benign breast tumours and thyroid disorders are reported in numerous studies. Relationship between thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), and breast cancer have been previously demonstrated. However, no analysis has been performed concerning an association between thyrotropin (TSH) receptor antibodies (TSHRAb) and breast cancer. The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence of TSH Receptor antibodies in women with breast cancer or benign breast tumours, and to analyze a possible relationship between TSH Receptor antibodies, and these two groups of breast diseases with emphasis to laboratory findings.

Methods Clinical and laboratory details of 87 women hospitalized were prospectively analyzed, using an Post hoc Tukey HSD for normally distributed continuous data, chi-square test for comparison.

Results TSH Receptor antibody levels in breast cancer was statistically significant. We observed TSHRAb more frequently in patients with breast cancer. We found that TSHRAb is the only variable possessing as a prognostic marker for breast cancer.

Conclusions The present study indicates that the serum levels of TSH Receptor Antibody are significant higher in patients with Breast cancer. These results have implications not only for the screening of patients but also for the development of new prognostic markers. Further high-quality prospective studies are needed to explore whether TSH Receptor Antibodies are potential prognostic markers for patients with Breast cancer.