SLE and Risk of Malignancy Save

The risk for cancer in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients has been inconsistently studied.  A new metanalysis shows that SLE has an increased risk for 16 specific cancers and decreased risk for prostate cancer and cutaneous melanoma. 

A review of 24 eligible studies assessed the cancer risk finding that there was an overall cancer risk (both genders) and specific risks for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, cervix, vagina/vulva, renal, bladder, esophagus, gastric, hepatobiliary, lung, oropharynx, larynx, non-melanoma skin, and thyroid cancers.

A reduced risk of prostate cancer and cutaneous melanoma was seen in SLE.  SLE was not associated with any significant risk for breast, uterus, ovarian, pancreatic, colorectal, or brain cancers.

Such data may help clinicians to personalized the medical care of their SLE patients and engage in assessments and practices that may reduce associated cancer morbidity and mortality.