19 Feb Psoriasis Patients Have Increased Risk of Some Cancer Types
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Dyrberg
Nikolai Dyrberg Loft MD, Ph.D.-fellow
Department of Dermatology and Allergy
Gentofte Hospital
Hellerup
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Epidemiological studies examining the association between psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis and cancer have reported conflicting results. Some studies report an increased risk of cancer in individuals with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis and others do not. Whether individuals with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis have an increased risk of cancer is important as this might help guiding in clinical practice. In order to determine if there is an increased risk of cancer and the magnitude of this risk, a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis is needed.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: Individuals with psoriasis have an increased risk of cancer and some specific cancer types including keratinocyte cancer, lymphomas, lung cancer, and bladder cancer compared with the general population. Individuals with psoriatic arthritis do not appear to have an increased risk although this is based on few studies and should be interpreted with care.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Physicians should be aware of this increased risk of cancers especially lymphomas and keratinocyte cancers as some psoriasis therapies might cause exacerbations of lymphomas and an increased risk of keratinocyte cancers. Moreover, risk factors of cancer including obesity, alcohol use, and smoking are more prevalent in individuals with psoriasis. Therefore, promoting a healthy lifestyle is important in psoriasis as this might improve psoriasis and prevent some of the cancers increased in psoriasis.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: First, it is important to assess whether individuals with psoriatic arthritis do not have an increased risk of cancers or the results are due to limited studies. Therefore, more and larger studies assessing the risk of cancer in individuals with psoriatic arthritis are warranted. Second, it is important to investigate whether the increased risk in psoriasis is due to cancer associated risk factors, the treatment of psoriasis or psoriasis itself. This could potentially help clinicians in the management of patients with psoriasis.
Any disclosures? Dr. Loft has been an honorary speaker for Eli Lilly and Janssen Cilag
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Last Updated on February 19, 2020 by Marie Benz MD FAAD