Autoimmune Disease and cancer diagnosis

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Hello! Everyone has been so helpful on this site and I truly appreciate it!

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease when I was 16 and with SCC deep in my gum and into my jaw at 59. I asked my doctor why she thought this happened and she said Crohn’s could have something to do with it…inflammation. Wondering if anyone else has had the same SCC diagnosis and long standing auto immune disease. If so, how are you doing today? Thank you!

  • I’ll tag  

    She has autoimmune arthritis and has had tongue SCC. She is doing really well 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • I have Psoriatic Arthritis and have done for over 30 years; also asthma and a weird cornea thing called Keratoconus. I’ve been on pretty heavyweight immunosuppressants for over a decade. They probably didn’t help!

    I've noticed over the past 4 years, that while most OSCC is HPV driven, a substantial minority of those without HPV either have autoimmune diseases (particularly psoriasis) or have an autoimmune disease in their family. Hypothyroidism and ibs type stuff appear particularly common.

    My impression is that rather than straightforward inflammation, it is rather the inability of whacky immune systems to control the control and suppress the appearance of any “nasty” cells.

    People with Psoriasis are known to have a SLIGHTLY increased risk of cancers, but few people are aware of this, but I do know that there is some research being done in the US.

    I suspect it’s pretty much impossible to prevent - which is why awareness nd early diagnosis is so very important.

    Hope you’re doing ok now xx

  • Thanks so much for your reply! I was never advised of this from my gastroenterologist or other doctors…except for risk of colon cancer which I am screened for every 3 years. I was never on any biologics which I know carry risk. 
    May I ask how your treatment has gone? I am now 4mos post mandiblectomy / fibula free flap / neck dissection surgery and 1.5 mos post radiation treatment. Now I am just scared of reoccurrence! I am on the internet way more than I should be!

  • Thank you for your help Dani!

  • Hi Lola,

    I was also diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 33 which gradually burnt itself out by age 36 but left me with IBS, I was diagnosed with tongue cancer at age 68. 
    To date I have had 2 operations on my tongue and a neck dissection which resulted in 30 weeks of RT at age 69. 


    I’m now 7 months post RT and gradually returning to normal and hoping soon to have my rig removed.

    I’ve never thought that Crohn’s disease is connected to the cancer in any way but I did have lichen planus in my 30’s that I’m told is definitely connected.

    Sue x

  • I have been on different DMARDS for psoriatic arthritis for 10 years, never told the drugs would have increased my risk of SCC, I know different now, just have to live with it, or put up with arthritic pain.

    Doing fine now after Stage 2 throat cancer. Chemotherapy/radiotherapy finished over 2 years ago.

    M