Uterine Fibroids Increase the Risk of Thyroid Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The formation of uterine fibroids (UF) is potentially linked to the development of thyroid cancer through a common factor: female sex hormones. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study to determine whether Taiwanese women with UF have an increased risk of thyroid cancer. The data of both the UF and control groups were derived from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. Groups were matched by the year of UF diagnosis, age, income, urbanization level, occupation, and comorbidities. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to compare the incidence of thyroid cancer between the UF and control groups. In addition, the model was used to determine the hazard ratio of thyroid cancer in the UF group in comparison with the control group. RESULTS: Women with UF had a statistically significantly increased risk of thyroid cancer compared with controls (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26-2.13). Stratified analyses showed that women with UF who had a significantly increased risk of thyroid cancer were more likely to be middle aged, have middle and higher income levels, and a medium follow-up period (1-5 years) of UF. No other UF patient characteristics and comorbidities showed association with the risk of thyroid cancer. In addition, UF patients had a significantly increased risk of thyroid cancer regardless of whether or not they underwent myomectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that women with UF have an increased risk of subsequent thyroid cancer. Further research is needed to explore whether surveillance strategies for the early detection of thyroid cancer using ultrasonography should be implemented among patients with UF.

Cancer risk in patients with candidiasis: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Candidiasis and certain types of cancer are related to immunocompromised status. This study aimed to evaluate whether Candida infection (CI) is associated with subsequent cancer risk in Taiwan. METHODS: Data from the National Health Insurance system of Taiwan were used to evaluate the association between CI and cancer risk. The CI cohort comprised 34,829 patients. Each patient was randomly frequency matched with one person from the general population without CI on the basis of age, sex, year of index date of CI diagnosis, and other characteristics to generate the control group. We used Cox's proportional hazard regression analysis to estimate the effects of CI on subsequent cancer risk. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, patients with CI had a significantly higher risk of overall cancer (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.19, 95% confidence interval = 1.09-1.30). For subsite analysis, the risks of hematologic malignancy and head and neck, pancreatic, skin, and thyroid cancers were significantly higher in the CI group. Stratified analyses by sex, age, and follow-up time revealed different patterns. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that CI can significantly increase overall and some individual cancer risks, which is partially compatible with previous findings.

Primary infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the axillary breast with metastasis to the contralateral chest wall.

Primary infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the axillary breast is rare and has a high frequency of lymph node (LN) involvement. We report a woman with primary infiltrating ductal carcinoma arising from the right axillary breast with metastasis to the contralateral chest wall. Excisional biopsy of the left chest wall nodule and the right axillary mass was carried out and both showed invasive ductal carcinomas histologically. The lesion of the right axillary mass arose from the breast tissue, rather than the LN. Further surgery proved the right axillary LN metastasis. After further review, a primary infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the right axillary breast with metastasis to axillary LNs and contralateral chest wall was diagnosed. The patient also received chemotherapy and radiation and there was no evidence of tumor recurrence after treatment. The present report demonstrated a rare case with uncommon manifestation. Lesions of uncertain origin around the periphery of the breast should be suspected for breast carcinoma.

Primary breast lymphoma clinically mimicking acute mastitis: a case report.

Extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the breast is a rare disease. We present a case of primary breast lymphoma with atypical clinical manifestations that looked like acute mastitis. A 46-year-old woman had noted a painful swelling in the right breast for 2 months. The mass had an inflammatory appearance and acute mastitis was the clinical impression. She underwent a core biopsy of the mass, and pathology showed inflammatory changes. The inflammatory mass regressed and recurred during hospitalization, and further incision with debridement was done. The histological findings were consistent with diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Systemic examination found stage IIE disease. She received chemotherapy and local radiation is planned.