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Abstract
Clinical and epidemiologic studies raise the question of whether there might be a
positive correlation between the incidence of goiter and the incidence of breast cancer.
It appears that areas plagued with goiter tend to have a high breast cancer mortality
rate. Conversely, areas with a low incidence of goiter seem to have a low breast cancer
fatality rate. While such evidence is far from conclusive, it may be justifiable to
regard the data as provocative and meriting further inquiry.
From the experimental laboratory there is evidence that impairment of thyroid function
may affect the mammary gland to a considerable degree. This effect upon the breast
appears to be mediated through the ovary secondary to pituitary activity which has
been initiated by the thyroid dysfunction.
The possibility exists that goiter may indicate an endocrine abnormality of significance
in human breast cancer. It appears to us that continued intensive study of the hormonal
aspects of breast cancer is in order and also that a study of the phylogenetic relationship
of hormone development to neoplasia might be warranted.
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Article info
Publication history
Received:
July 28,
1960
Footnotes
☆Presented at the Fifth Medical Assembly, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico, Nov. 10 to 14, 1959.
☆☆Aided in part by Thyroid-Cancer Research Grant from the Spokane County Cancer Association.
Identification
Copyright
© 1961 Published by Elsevier Inc.
