Psoriasis Linked To Increased Risk Of Several Types Of Cancer

Psoriasis linked to increased risk of several types of cancer

People with psoriasis have a higher risk of developing cancer or dying from it. The connection between the diseases, according to the researchers, may also be explained by medications against psoriasis. For example, the long-term use of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine to treat severe psoriasis, which increases the risk of skin cancer.

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People with psoriasis have a higher risk of developing cancer or dying from it, according to scientists from the University of Manchester. The study, published in JAMA Dermatology, is a review of 58 observational studies looking at the relationship between these diseases.

After conducting a meta-analysis, scientists concluded that patients with psoriasis have a 1.18 times higher risk of developing several types of cancer than those who do not have the disease. These include cancers of the colon, colon and rectum, kidney, larynx, liver, lymphoma, oral cavity, esophagus, pancreas, and non-melanoma skin cancer. Patients with severe psoriasis had a 1.22 risk of developing cancer and dying from it.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that accelerates the growth of skin cells and leads to rashes on the body in the form of thickened red scaly patches. They are most commonly found on the knees, scalp, elbows, lower back, face, soles of the feet, and palms. Usually, creams are used to treat it, as well as ultraviolet and drug therapies. The World Health Organization, in a 2014 resolution, highlighted raising public awareness of psoriasis in order to combat the stigma experienced by many sufferers.

The authors noted that psoriasis has previously been linked to cancer. The connection between the diseases, according to the researchers, may also be explained by medications against psoriasis. For example, the long-term use of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine to treat severe psoriasis, which increases the risk of skin cancer.

“To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis to look at how cancer risk differs depending on the severity of psoriasis, and… the effect of lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity on this risk is examined,” said study co-author Alex Trafford).

However, this study is somewhat limited as the designs of the studies included in the analysis differed. Moreover, their observational nature makes it impossible to establish the cause and effect. Despite the link between psoriasis and cancer, the results have been mixed, and further research is needed.

“We found a lower cancer risk in studies that took into account lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity. This provides some evidence that, as with people without psoriasis, making healthy lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of cancer,”Trafford said.

The study was carried out as part of the Global Psoriasis Atlas Project, which was created to fill the gaps in knowledge about psoriasis and link people to the disease and researchers. On World Psoriasis Day - October 29 - the project launches a website for psoriasis sufferers and those who study the disease.