Diabetic patients have a higher risk of various types of cancer.However, whether diabetes may increase the risk of thyroid cancer has\r\nnot been extensively studied. This paper reviews and summarizes the current literature studying the relationship between diabetes\r\nmellitus and thyroid cancer, and the possible mechanisms linking such an association. Epidemiologic studies showed significant or\r\nnonsignificant increases in thyroid cancer risk in diabetic women and nonsignificant increase or no change in thyroid cancer risk in\r\ndiabetic men. A recent pooled analysis, including 5 prospective studies from the USA, showed that the summary hazard ratio (95%\r\nconfidence interval) for women was 1.19 (0.84ââ?¬â??1.69) and was 0.96 (0.65ââ?¬â??1.42) for men. Therefore, the results are controversial and\r\nthe association between diabetes and thyroid cancer is probably weak. Further studies are necessary to confirm their relationship.\r\nProposed mechanisms for such a possible link between diabetes and thyroid cancer include elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating\r\nhormone, insulin, glucose and triglycerides, insulin resistance, obesity, vitamin D deficiency, and antidiabetic medications such as\r\ninsulin or sulfonylureas
Loading....