This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mack, W. J. Articles by Xiang, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Mack, W. J. Articles by Xiang, M.

Reproductive and Hormonal Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer in Los Angeles County Females¹

Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089

We conducted an individually matched case-control study (292 pairs) of female thyroid cancer patients to examine the role of reproductive history and exogenous hormones in this disease. Radiation treatment to the head or neck [28 cases and 2 controls exposed; odds ratio (OR), 14.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.5–121.3] and certain benign thyroid diseases (including adolescent thyroid enlargement, goiter, and nodules or tumors) were strongly associated with thyroid cancer. Irregular menstruation increased risk (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 0.9–3.7). Age at menarche and pregnancy history were not related to disease. Women with natural menopause and hysterectomized women without oophorectomy had no increase in risk, but disease risk was elevated in women with bilateral oophorectomy (OR, 6.5; 95% CI, 1.1–38.1). In general, use of oral contraceptives and other exogenous estrogens was not associated with thyroid cancer. However, risk increased with number of pregnancies in women using lactation suppressants (P = 0.03) and decreased with duration of breastfeeding (P = 0.04). These data provide only limited support for the hypothesis that reproductive and hormonal exposures are responsible for the marked excess of thyroid cancer risk in adult females.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. Brindel, F. Doyon, F. Rachedi, J.-L. Boissin, J. Sebbag, L. Shan, V. Chungue, L. Y. K. Sun, F. Bost-Bezeaud, P. Petitdidier, et al. Menstrual and Reproductive Factors in the Risk of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma in Native Women in French Polynesia: A Population-based Case-Control Study Am. J. Epidemiol., January 15, 2008; 167(2): 219 - 229. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. A. B. Knostman, S. M. Jhiang, and C. C. Capen Genetic Alterations in Thyroid Cancer: The Role of Mouse Models Vet. Pathol., January 1, 2007; 44(1): 1 - 14. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Ho, C. Zhao, R. Zheng, Z. Liu, Q. Wei, and E. M. Sturgis Glutathione s-transferase polymorphisms and risk of differentiated thyroid carcinomas: a case-control analysis. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, July 1, 2006; 132(7): 756 - 761. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Truong, L. Orsi, D. Dubourdieu, Y. Rougier, D. Hemon, and P. Guenel Role of Goiter and of Menstrual and Reproductive Factors in Thyroid Cancer: A Population-based Case-Control Study in New Caledonia (South Pacific), a Very High Incidence Area Am. J. Epidemiol., June 1, 2005; 161(11): 1056 - 1065. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. C. Sakoda and P. L. Horn-Ross Reproductive and Menstrual History and Papillary Thyroid Cancer Risk: The San Francisco Bay Area Thyroid Cancer Study Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., January 1, 2002; 11(1): 51 - 57. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				P. L. Horn-Ross, J. S. Morris, M. Lee, D. W. West, A. S. Whittemore, I. R. McDougall, K. Nowels, S. L. Stewart, V. L. Spate, A. C. Shiau, et al. Iodine and Thyroid Cancer Risk among Women in a Multiethnic Population: The Bay Area Thyroid Cancer Study Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., September 1, 2001; 10(9): 979 - 985. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. L. Howe, P. A. Wingo, M. J. Thun, L. A. G. Ries, H. M. Rosenberg, E. G. Feigal, and B. K. Edwards Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer (1973 Through 1998), Featuring Cancers With Recent Increasing Trends J Natl Cancer Inst, June 6, 2001; 93(11): 824 - 842. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]