07 Jul Rosacea May Be Linked To Skin and Thyroid Cancer
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Wen-Qing Li Ph.D
Department of Dermatology Warren Alpert Medical School
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health,
Brown University, Providence, RI
Medical Research: What is the background for this study?
Response: Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory cutaneous disorder and may be an end-organ response in a systemic disorder. We systemically examined the association between personal history of rosacea and risk of cancer based on 75088 whites in the Nurses’ Health Study II, during a follow-up of 20 years.
Medical Research: What are the main findings?
Response: We suggest possible associations between personal history of rosacea and an increased risk of thyroid cancer and Basal Cell Cancer. Analyses did not find significant associations for other individual cancer types.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Response: We provide evidence demonstrating that rosacea may represent a systemic disorder beyond a skin condition. Pending further replication of our findings from other studies, clinicians would be suggested to closely follow up their Rosacea cases for potential malignant outcomes. Frequent physical examinations would also be suggested for patients.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Further studies are required to replicate our findings in other populations, particularly those of women and non-Caucasians. It would be critical to explore the potential heterogeneities for the association with cancer in different subtypes of rosacea. Studies are warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms for our findings.
Citation:
Personal history of rosacea and risk of incident cancer among women in the US
Wen-Qing Li Ph.D, & Department of Dermatology Warren Alpert Medical School (2015).
Department of Dermatology Warren Alpert Medical School
Last Updated on July 7, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD