Abstract
Introduction: Following the long-established hypothesis that breast cancer originates in utero under hormonal influence, the authors of this study aim to examine whether placental weight and morphology relate to an offspring’s future risk of developing breast cancer. Methods: A comprehensive search of the Pubmed and Scopus online databases for studies regarding the influence of the placental weight and morphology on an offspring’s future breast cancer risk was performed. The search included articles published between 1990 and 2023. Results: In total, five studies examining the issue under question emerged. Two studies found only a weak and non-significant positive association between placental weight and an offspring’s breast cancer risk and two did not find any association at all. The fifth study demonstrated that increased placental volume elevated breast cancer risk in the offspring. The presence of a placental tumor was also strongly positively associated with cancer risk. Fibrin deposition and hemorrhage, on the other hand, had a protective effect. Conclusion: Further prospective studies with long-term follow-up are needed in order to establish an association between placental morphology and a daughter’s future breast cancer risk.