Systemic lupus erythematosus and malignancies: a review article

Basile Tessier-Cloutier; Ann E Clarke; Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman; Caroline Gordon; James E Hansen; Sasha Bernatsky

doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2014.04.005

Systemic lupus erythematosus and malignancies: a review article

Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2014 Aug;40(3):497-506, viii. doi: 10.1016/j.rdc.2014.04.005. Epub 2014 Jun 3.

Authors

Basile Tessier-Cloutier¹, Ann E Clarke², Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman³, Caroline Gordon⁴, James E Hansen⁵, Sasha Bernatsky⁶

Affiliations

¹ Division of Clinical Epidemiology, McGill University Health Centre, 687 Pine Avenue, V Building, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada.
² Division of Rheumatology, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive Northwest, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada.
³ Division of Rheumatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, McGaw Pavilion, 240 East Huron Street, Suite M-300, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
⁴ Division of Rheumatology, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, UK.
⁵ Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
⁶ Division of Clinical Epidemiology, McGill University Health Centre, 687 Pine Avenue, V Building, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 25034158
DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2014.04.005

Abstract

The systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) population has a unique cancer risk profile. This article presents the most recent data on risk of cancer in lupus and discusses possible contributing factors. The risk of lymphoma is particularly increased in SLE and may be mediated by immunosuppressive medication. Lung cancer risk is also increased in SLE. There is a high rate of cervical dysplasia in women with SLE. A similar pathophysiology could be responsible for the trend seen in vulvovaginal and hepatic carcinomas. There is a decreased risk in SLE for some hormone-sensitive cancers, but the cause of this remains unclear.

Keywords: Cancer; Epidemiology; Malignancy; Systemic lupus erythematosus.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Comorbidity
Early Detection of Cancer*
Humans
Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
Incidence
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* / drug therapy
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* / epidemiology
Neoplasms* / diagnosis
Neoplasms* / epidemiology
Research
Risk Factors

Substances

Immunosuppressive Agents