Reversed cerebral asymmetry in women with breast cancer

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) Vol. 339; no. 8792; pp. 523 - 524
• Main Authors: Sandson, T.A, Wen, P.Y, LeMay, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Ltd 29.02.1992; Lancet; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Brain; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Brain - pathology; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Breasts; Cancer; Computed tomography; Delivery. Postpartum. Lactation; Female; Functional Laterality; Gonadal Steroid Hormones - physiology; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Medical imaging; Medical research; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Obstetrical techniques; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Risk Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Human; Nervous system diseases; Radiodiagnosis; Exploration; Malignant tumor; Cerebral disorder; Mammary gland diseases; Asymmetry; Risk factor; Female; Computerized axial tomography; Mammary gland; Brain (vertebrata)
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/0140-6736(92)90341-Y

Altered intrauterine hormonal environment might predispose to both atypical cerebral asymmetry and breast cancer. We therefore investigated computed tomographic scans of 79 right-handed, white patients with breast cancer and 97 controls to assess the pattern of cerebral asymmetry. Women with breast cancer had a reversed pattern of cerebral asymmetry significantly more often than did controls (p<0·0001) for both frontal and occipital width. Our findings suggest that an intrauterine or early life factor, probably hormonal, could predispose to breast cancer in adulthood.