A recent study (KH Katsanos et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016; 14: 413-20) shows an increased risk of oral cancers in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because these cancers are infrequent, the absolute risk remains low.  However, this study provides some further insight into why other cancers may occur more often in IBD as well.

This retrospective study collated data on 7294 patients with IBD seen at a single New York center (2000-2011).  Key findings:

• 11 patients (7 male) developed biopsy-proven oral cancer, most commonly of the tongue (n=6).  The overall oral cancer age-adjusted standardized incidence ration (SIR) was 9.77 and the SIR for tongue was 18.91.  These numbers could be influenced by a referral bias.
• The average age for oral cancer in this study was 44 years.
• Prior treatment for IBD had occurred in 7 patients, including 4 with a thiopurine, 1 with infliximab, and 3 with combination therapy.
• One patient died.

Discussion:

• Traditional risk factors for oral cancer: tobacco exposure (smoking, oral tobacco) and alcohol consumption.
• The authors speculate that in their population that acquiring oncogenic HPV virus may have contributed to increased risk.  This is clearly a risk with cervical cancer which has been reported as increased in IBD populations as well.

Related blog post: Cancers Complicating Inflammatory Bowel Disease | gutsandgrowth

Gibbs Gardens