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First-degree relatives identified as high risk for papillary thyroid cancer
High risk for papillary thyroid carcinoma is evident in first-degree relatives; with significant risks extending to second- and third-degree relatives, according to retrospective study data using the Utah Population Database.
The study included the medical records of 4,460 patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in Utah between 1966 and 2011 and their first- through fifth-degree relatives and spouses.
“Although most cases of PTC are believed to be sporadic, there appears to be a familial component underlying this disease process,” Gretchen M. Oakley, MD, of the division of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote.
First-degree relatives had a 5.4-fold increased risk of being diagnosed with PTC (95% CI, 4.4-6.5) compared with population-based matched controls, whereas second-degree relatives displayed a 2.2-fold risk (P<10-11) and third-degree relatives had a 1.8-fold increased risk (P<10-8), according to data. Siblings of index cases appeared to have the greatest risk (6.8-fold; 95% CI, 5.2-9), researchers wrote.
Although nonspecific histological subtype grouping and other common limitations are apparent, these findings suggest a shared genetic — rather than environmental — basis to the familial risk for PTC in relatives of patients with it, researchers wrote. Moreover, environmental factors could contribute to the risk, they added.
“Knowledge of increased cancer risk due to a positive family history could lead to increased surveillance and potentially earlier detection of cancer, which in turn could mean decreased treatment morbidity and a better overall prognosis,” researchers wrote.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.