Autoimmune Disease and cancer diagnosis

I’ll tag Panch 

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

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

It’s more the Biologics, rather than the DMARDsthat increase any risk - and to be honest, Psoriatic diseases themselves.Tbh, a year ago I was crying down the phone at my rheumatologist that I’d rather lose a bit more of my tongue, than not go back onto my Biologic. I am now really paying for them having been so very conservative with treatment over the 3 years after surgery, but now back on Etanercept. I consulted widely!

Research shows that inflammation is a hallmark of cancer, with up to 20 percent of cancer-related deaths linked to the inflammatory process. Inflammation can go awry and aid in the development of diseases like cancer. That’s why it is recommended to have a diet and take supplements that limit inflammation.