IBD patients 'may be at higher risk of skin cancer'
Monday 21st November 2011
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) could be at a higher risk of skin cancer, according to a new study.
Exposure to thiopurines - a common class of immunosuppressants used to treat IBD - was found to significantly increase the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in patients with the condition.
This even applied to patients under the age of 50, although risk did increase with age, according to the results, which were published in the journal Gastroenterology.
Lead author Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet said: "All patients with irritable bowel disease currently receiving or having previously received thiopurines should protect their skin from UV radiation and receive regular dermatologic screening, regardless of their age."
NMSC mainly comprises basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and is the most common cancer diagnosed among people who are receiving immunosuppressive medications.
The symptoms of IBS, a common condition of the digestive system, usually manifest themselves between the ages of 20 and 30, and can be brought on by stress or the consumption of certain foods.
Written by Mathew Horton
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