A NEW nationwide study has highlighted the elevated risk of digestive cancers in individuals with celiac disease (CeD), including small bowel, pancreatic, oesophageal, and colonic cancers. The French cohort study followed 27,114 celiac patients, hospitalised with CeD from 2011-2019, revealing significant associations between CeD and several digestive malignancies.
The study, which matched celiac patients with non-exposed controls, found that celiac patients had a 13.95 times higher risk of small bowel cancer (OR 13.95; 95% CI: 7.52–29.57) and a 2.41 times higher risk of pancreatic cancer (OR 2.41; 95% CI: 1.78–3.31). Increased risks were also observed for oesophageal (OR 1.72; 95% CI: 1.08–2.77), colonic (OR 1.69; 95% CI: 1.39–2.06), and gastric cancers (OR 1.52; 95% CI: 1.06–2.20). Interestingly, no elevated risk was found for rectal cancer (OR 1.07; 95% CI: 0.80–1.44).
Additionally, the study identified that certain inflammatory conditions, such as pernicious anemia and non-alcoholic chronic pancreatitis, further increased the risk of related cancers. For example, pernicious anemia significantly heightened the risk of gastric cancer (OR 9.01; 95% CI, 3.13–20.4).
The findings underline the importance of vigilant screening and monitoring for digestive cancers in individuals with CeD, especially those with predisposing conditions. These results further stress the need for continued follow-up care to mitigate cancer risks and enhance early detection.
Helena Bradbury, EMJ
Reference
Jannot AS, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024;DOI:10.1016/j.cgh.2024.10.028.
