Birth rates after radioactive iodine treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer. Issue 11 (16th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anderson, Chelsea; Engel, Stephanie M.; Weaver, Mark A.; Zevallos, Jose P.; Nichols, Hazel B.
• Is Part Of: International journal of cancer. Volume 141:Issue 11(2017:Dec. 01)
• Page Start: 2291
• Page End: 2295
• Publication Date: 2017-08-16
• Subjects: thyroid cancer -- radioactive iodine -- birth rates; Cancer -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Prevention -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30917
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7136

Abstract

Abstract : Treatment with radioactive iodine (RAI) for differentiated thyroid cancer has been associated with alterations in gonadal function in women, including changes in menstrual function and an earlier age at menopause. Our objective was to evaluate associations between RAI and postdiagnosis live birth rates among thyroid cancer survivors diagnosed at ages 15–39 years. We identified women diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer between January 2000 and December 2013 in the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry (CCR). CCR records were linked to state birth certificate files to identify livebirths to thyroid cancer survivors through December 2014. Person‐years of follow‐up were accrued from 6 months after diagnosis to first birth, 46th birthday, death, or December 31, 2014, whichever came first. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazards ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for first livebirth. Among 2, 360 women with a differentiated thyroid cancer diagnosis, 53% received RAI. The cumulative incidence of birth at the end of follow‐up (maximum 14.5 years) was 30.0 and 29.3% among those who were and were not treated with RAI, respectively. Overall, first birth rates did not significantly differ between groups (HR = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.82, 1.23). In our observational cohort, treatment with RAI was not associated with a reduced birth rate. Our findings add to the evidence available for counseling thyroid cancer patients with concerns about future fertility. Abstract : What's new? In young women with differentiated thyroid cancer, treatment with radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy has been associated with alterations in gonadal function. However, few population‐based studies have evaluated the impact of RAI on rates of post‐diagnosis childbirth among thyroid cancer survivors. In this observational study of 2, 360 women with a thyroid cancer diagnosis, the authors found that childbirth rates did not significantly differ according to receipt of RAI, suggesting little effect of RAI on future reproductive potential.