Phytoestrogens and Thyroid Cancer Risk: A Population-Based Case-Control Study in Connecticut
Menée aux Etats-Unis à l'aide de données 2010-2011 portant sur 387 patients atteints d'un cancer de la thyroïde (âge moyen : 51,7 ans ; 82% de femmes) et sur 433 témoins, cette étude analyse l'association entre une consommation de phytoestrogènes et le risque de développer la maladie
Background : Very few previous studies have examined the relationship between thyroid cancer risk and intake of phytoestrogens (PEs); furthermore, these studies have reached inconsistent results. Methods : We analyzed data from a population-based case-control study in Connecticut in 2010-2011 including 387 histologically-confirmed thyroid cancer cases and 433 population-based controls, with compound data available concerning specific PEs. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations between specific PEs and the risk of thyroid cancer, adjusting for potential confounders. Results : An elevated risk of thyroid cancer was associated with moderate to high levels of coumestrol intake (OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.39-4.43 for 40-80 μg/day; OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.32-4.40 for 80-130 μg/day; and OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.26-4.50 for > 200 μg/day compared to < 40 μg/day), and the main elevation in risk appeared among microcarcinomas (≤ 1 cm). A decreased risk of papillary macrocarcinomas (> 1 cm; OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08-0.85 for 1860-3110 μg/day compared to < 760 μg/day) was associated with moderate genistein intake among women. Conclusions : Our study suggests that high coumestrol intake increases the risk of thyroid cancer, especially microcarcinomas, while moderate amounts of genistein intake appear to be protective for females with thyroid macrocarcinomas. Impact : The study highlights the importance of distinguishing between microcarcinomas and macrocarcinomas in future research on the etiology of thyroid cancer.