title: A new risk factor in oesophageal cancer aetiology: hyperthyroidism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In individuals with malignant disease, many qualitative and quantitative hormonal changes have been detected. Although there are many studies showing that there is a relationship between thyroid hormone disorders and certain tumours, no study investigating the association between oesophageal cancer and thyroid diseases has been reported. The present study was designed to evaluate whether there is a relationship between oesophageal cancer and thyroid hormones.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study conducted between December 2006 and February 2008, thyroid functions were studied in a group of 102 sequential patients with oesophageal cancer and a control group of 160 sequential patients without oesophageal cancer, presenting to the Thoracic Surgery Department of Ataturk University. Age, gender, tumour location and histological type in patients with oesophageal cancer were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 102 patients with oesophageal cancer, 21 (20.58%) had hyperthyroidism, 2 (1.96%) had hypothyroidism and 6 (5.88%) exhibited nodular/multinodular goitre on ultrasonography and computed tomography. In the control group, 8 patients (5.0%) had hyperthyroidism, 4 (2.5%) had hypothyroidism and 7 (4.38%) showed nodular/multinodular goitre. In patients with oesophageal cancer, the incidence of hyperthyroidism was found to be significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data show that there may be an important relationship between oesophageal cancer and hyperthyroidism. We believe that thyroid hormone levels should be measured in all cases of oesophageal cancer. In further prospective and experimental studies, the physiopathology of this relationship can be fully explained.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ataturk University, Medical Faculty, Erzurum, Turkey. atilat@atauni.edu.tr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Turkyilmaz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eroglu
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karaoglanoglu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006044:Goiter, Nodular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013963:Thyroid Hormones