Cancer Risk and Psoriasis

Patients with psoriasis had a slightly elevated risk for cancer, which was greater in those with more-severe and longer-enduring disease.

Many studies have shown an increased risk for leukemia, lymphoma, and cancers of the lung, liver, oropharynx, colon, kidney, breast, central nervous system, pancreas, genital organs, and thyroid in individuals with psoriasis. However, differences in design and inclusion criteria (e.g., of cigarette smokers) in these trials have produced varying results.

In a recent epidemiologic study, researchers examined cancer risk in 36,702 patients with psoriasis and 36,702 psoriasis-free matched controls. After exclusion of patients with histories of HIV or cancer, the psoriasis group had a subtly increased risk for lymphopoietic malignancies (incidence risk ratio, 1.81; confidence interval, 1.35–2.42) and digestive tract cancers (especially of the pan…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)