Abstract
Objective: Adjuvant chemotherapy is often indicated in patients diagnosed with early breast cancer (EBC). Among others, weight gain is one of the observed side effects of both chemotherapy and other cancer treatments; however, the mechanism is not well-described. In this study, we aimed to assess thyroid function before and shortly after the course of chemotherapy for EBC. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of women diagnosed with EBC. The main outcome was the thyroid function and body weight before and after completing chemotherapy. Secondary outcomes were the presence of thyroid autoantibodies and treatment radiation dosage. We included 72 patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, whereas 59 patients also received supraclavicular locoregional radiotherapy. Triple-negative breast cancer (BC) patients receiving chemoimmunotherapy were excluded. Results: After the chemotherapy, we observed an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone (p = 0.03) and a decrease in free-thyroxine (p = 0.0006), with no significant weight change. The prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis was low. On average 3 months post-chemo, we found no statistically significant difference in the thyroid function of women treated versus not treated with supraclavicular locoregional radiotherapy. Conclusions: Although statistically significant changes in thyroid hormones were observed, this study suggests no obvious clinically significant changes in thyroid function in women with early BC after the course of chemotherapy. The decrease in thyroid function was not related to autoimmunity, non-thyroidal illness, radiotherapy, or high-dose corticosteroids. Further studies with a longer follow-up of thyroid function after adjuvant chemotherapy and supraclavicular locoregional radiotherapy are needed.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Artikelnummer | e70015 |
| Tidsskrift | Cancer Medicine |
| Vol/bind | 13 |
| Udgave nummer | 15 |
| Antal sider | 12 |
| ISSN | 2045-7634 |
| DOI | |
| Status | Udgivet - 2024 |
Bibliografisk note
Funding Information:First, we thank all participants who volunteered to enroll in the study. We also thank Malan Egholm, Valdemar Mendez Brockdorff, and Marie-Louise Br\u00F8dsgaard Abrahamsen for their excellent technical assistance. Finally, we thank Julius Jacobsen and Trine-Lund Jacobsen for the statistical assistance. Data on average body weight in Danish women are received from The National Institute of Public Health, Denmark. The Danish National Health Survey was funded by The Capital Region, Region Zealand, The South Denmark Region, The Central Denmark Region, The North Denmark Region, The Ministry of Health, and the National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark.
Funding Information:
This study was financially supported by the Svend Andersen Fond, Aase and Ejnar Danielsens Fond, Kirsten and Freddy Johansen Fond, and Martha and Hans Peter Johnsens Fond. Neither had a role in writing the manuscript or the decision to submit it for publication.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.