Selenium and thyroid cancer: a systematic review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#animals #antioxidants #case-control-studies #cross-sectional-studies #humans

Selenium and thyroid cancer: a systematic review

de et al., 2020 | Nutr Cancer | Systematic Review

Citation

de Oliveira Maia Mônica, Batista Bruna Aparecida Melo, ... Maia Carla Soraya Costa. Selenium and thyroid cancer: a systematic review. Nutr Cancer. 2020;72(8):1255-1263. doi:10.1080/01635581.2019.1679194

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between blood and tissue levels of selenium and thyroid cancer through a systematic review. We searched for observational studies written in English, Spanish, and Portuguese indexed in PubMed, LILACS, and Scielo without date restriction, that evaluated the association between selenium levels in whole-blood, serum, or plasma and/or thyroid tissue and thyroid cancer, both in individuals with cancer of thyroid as in healthy individuals. Then data were extracted and analyzed. Of the 570 articles identified, five cross-sectional studies were included in the review. In one study, lower concentrations of selenium were found in whole-blood (0.543 μg/ml) and in the thyroid (0.88 μg/g) of thyroid cancer patients compared to controls. Another study showed a decrease in serum selenium concentrations in patients with follicular carcinoma and papillary types (0.077 ± 0.021 μg/ml and 0.080 ± 0.020 μg/ml, respectively). On the other hand, other studies showed no difference in plasma selenium content or glutathione peroxidase activity among patients and healthy volunteers. The available evidence on this issue is inconclusive. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the association between serum and/or tissue levels of selenium and the development of thyroid cancer.

Key Findings

Additional studies are needed to elucidate the association between serum and/or tissue levels of selenium and the development of thyroid cancer.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population healthy individuals
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Selenium
  • Thyroid Gland
  • Thyroid Neoplasms

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: selenium-thyroid

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09