A case of bilateral breast cancer and Graves' disease.
We report a case of bilateral breast cancer associated with Graves' disease characterized by a large goiter and complicated by a severe ophthalmopathy. The hyperthyroidism was treated initially with methimazole and then with thyroidectomy, the ophthalmopathy with intravenous steroids combined with orbital radiotherapy. The breast tumors underwent surgical resection followed by chemotherapy. We describe this case because of the well-known association between breast cancer and thyroid disease, particularly of the autoimmune type, the causes of this being still unclear. Recent literature on this topic is reviewed, discussing the possible role of the Na(+)-I(-) symporter and anti-TPO antibodies.
Benedetti
Mario
M
Istituto di Chirurgia Generale Gastroenterologica e Mammaria, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy. mariobene@libero.it
Tinozzi
Francesco Paolo
FP
Albertario
Simone
S
Bianchi
Carlo
C
Niebel
Thekla
T
Vailati
Alberto
A
Danova
Marco
M
Tinozzi
Stefano
S
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical; D008713:Methimazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013965:Thyroidectomy
D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D008713:Methimazole