News and information about the National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases (NDB) and arthritis and rheumatology research. Written for NDB participants and anyone with a rheumatic disease.
| Contact the NDB | Enroll in NDB Research | NDB Forum |
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
ACR Posters: RA and non-melanoma skin cancer
Many studies have shown that RA patients have a higher risk of certain types of cancers. It is unknown whether this is because of the way RA affects the immune system, the way some RA drugs suppress the immune system, or both. In particular, European studies have shown that RA patients are at a higher risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Most NMSCs are found on parts of the body that get exposed to the sun, like the face and hands. They normally don’t affect other body areas. NMSC is almost always cured if detected early.
We decided to calculate the risk of NMSC in RA patients by comparing them to OA patients. OA and OA drugs do not affect the immune system like RA. Indeed, there is a slightly increased risk for RA patients. Use of prednisone and use of combination TNF-inhibitor (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab) and methotrexate were also associated with an increased risk for the development of NMSC.
What does this mean for NDB patients? Probably not too much, because everybody (especially those with light-colored skin or previous skin problems) should always be alert to changes in the skin. And of course, you should always use sunscreen. You should tell your doctor any time you notice
Many studies have shown that RA patients have a higher risk of certain types of cancers. It is unknown whether this is because of the way RA affects the immune system, the way some RA drugs suppress the immune system, or both. In particular, European studies have shown that RA patients are at a higher risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Most NMSCs are found on parts of the body that get exposed to the sun, like the face and hands. They normally don’t affect other body areas. NMSC is almost always cured if detected early.
We decided to calculate the risk of NMSC in RA patients by comparing them to OA patients. OA and OA drugs do not affect the immune system like RA. Indeed, there is a slightly increased risk for RA patients. Use of prednisone and use of combination TNF-inhibitor (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab) and methotrexate were also associated with an increased risk for the development of NMSC.
What does this mean for NDB patients? Probably not too much, because everybody (especially those with light-colored skin or previous skin problems) should always be alert to changes in the skin. And of course, you should always use sunscreen. You should tell your doctor any time you notice
- Any change on the skin, especially in the size or color of a mole or other darkly pigmented growth or spot, or a new growth
- Scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or change in the appearance of a bump or nodule
- The spread of pigmentation beyond its border such as dark coloring that spreads past the edge of a mole or mark
- A change in sensation, itchiness, tenderness, or pain
To see the poster, click the image here for a PowerPoint file.
Comments:
Hi, can you post these links for me from here? They are about skin cancer...These are links for Skin Cancer. If you don't know what skin cancer looks like: Skin Cancer Mole Pictures is a great site to bookmark for reference; and if you need information about moles and Red Mole Removal the site "Mole Remedy.com" has a natural mole remover."These Skin Cancer Mole Pictures are pretty gross but you need to see this stuff so they can avoid skin cancer."
Hi, can you post these Cancer links for me from here? They are actually about Skin Cancer: Skin Cancer Information. There lots of types of skin cancer. If you don't know what skin cancer looks like: Skin Cancer Mole Pictures is a great site to see.
"These Skin Cancer Mole Pictures are pretty gross but you
need to see this stuff so they can avoid skin cancer." Information about
Moles and "Mol
e Removal" is an herbal facial mole remover
Post a Comment
"These Skin Cancer Mole Pictures are pretty gross but you
need to see this stuff so they can avoid skin cancer." Information about
Moles and "Mol
e Removal" is an herbal facial mole remover
Now available for your support group or arthritis meetings....Our new pamphlets explain what we do and how you and can help. Each one has a postage-paid postcard to request more information or join the project. The pamphlets and a small table-top stand are available free from the NDB. Just send us an email!