Hypo- and hyperthyroidism and survival of ovarian cancer patients

Background. The non-genomic effects of thyroid hormones, mediated through exposure to the membrane receptor CD51/CD61, are expressed in the activation of atypical cell proliferation, stimulation of tumor angiogenesis and cell migration. In connection with these cellular effects, the thyroid status of cancer patients can have prognostic value.

The aim of study: to assess the effect of thyroid status on disease-free survival of patients with stage III ovarian cancer (OC).

Materials and methods. Prospective trial with eligibility criteria for the inclusion and exclusion of participants was conducted. The study included 128 patients with stage III OC aged 45 to 70 years. All patients before treatment was determined thyroid status by examining the serum levels of thyroid hormones and performing an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland. All patients received a comprehensive treatment of OC, including surgery and chemotherapy, and have complete remission following after treatment. After confirming the recurrence of the disease and/or death of the patient, the duration of the disease-free survival was determined.

Results. Medians disease-free survival were 13.5 months, 17.8 months and 11.1 months for the euthyroid, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid groups, respectively, while significant differences in the medians disease-free survival occurred between the euthyroid and hypothyroid groups (p = 0.0206) and between the hypo- and hyperthyroid groups (p = 0.0156).

Conclusions. Patients with hypothyroidism before the treatment of advanced OC have better disease-free survival. Thyroid status is independent favorable prognostic factor for survival in OC.

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