Highlights
- •The prevalence of thyroid cancer has increased in recent years.
- •This phenomenon may reflect improved detection.
- •There is a significant association between thyroid cancer and obesity.
- •Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia may be the pathophysiological links between thyroid cancer and obesity.
Abstract
In recent decades, there has been a marked increase in the prevalence of thyroid cancer.
This phenomenon has paralleled the increase in the prevalence of obesity worldwide,
which is associated with insulin resistance. Associations between these entities have
been hypothesized, mainly for older and female populations, but they remain unclear.
The aim of this article is to systematically review the literature in an attempt to
determine whether the increase in the prevalence of thyroid cancer is due to obesity
or due only to improved detection with the better imaging techniques available. A
thorough literature search on PubMed and application of selection criteria identified
15 appropriate studies. The detailed analysis of the data from these studies indicated
that there is a suggestive association between thyroid cancer, obesity, insulin resistance
and hyperinsulinemia for both genders. Therefore, the increased prevalence of thyroid
cancer is not dependent on improved detection only. Further research should be performed
for complete understanding of the pathophysiological associations, especially regarding
adipose tissue and genetics, but also for the improvement of preventive public health
policies.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 28, 2019
Accepted:
March 27,
2019
Received in revised form:
March 23,
2019
Received:
December 16,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
