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Table of Contents
Connection
Risks
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Ankylosing spondylitisis associated with an increased risk of cancer.
This article discusses the connection between ankylosing spondylitis and cancer and how healthcare providers approach treatment when someone develops both.
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Connection Between Ankylosing Spondylitis and Cancer
Ankylosing spondylitis develops when the joints in the spine become chronically inflamed. While many things can cause cancer, the chronicinflammationpresent in ankylosing spondylitis damages DNA, and over time, those changes can lead to cancer.
People with ankylosing spondylitis developcancerat a rate of 256.3 people per 100,000 people.This increased risk isn’t associated with one cancer but many, such as:
What Is the Most Common Cancer in People With Ankylosing Spondylitis?No one type of cancer is found in people with ankylosing spondylitis, but some are more common than others. People with the condition are most likely to develop the following:Cancers that affect the digestive tract and organs such as the colon, liver, and stomachBlood cancers such as multiple myeloma and lymphomaProstate cancer
What Is the Most Common Cancer in People With Ankylosing Spondylitis?
No one type of cancer is found in people with ankylosing spondylitis, but some are more common than others. People with the condition are most likely to develop the following:Cancers that affect the digestive tract and organs such as the colon, liver, and stomachBlood cancers such as multiple myeloma and lymphomaProstate cancer
No one type of cancer is found in people with ankylosing spondylitis, but some are more common than others. People with the condition are most likely to develop the following:
The risk associated with cancer and ankylosing spondylitis has to do with inflammation andgene variations.There are several genes associated with the development of ankylosing spondylitis, including:
These genes play a role in immunity and how well the body fights off infection and disease. In people with ankylosing spondylitis, variations or changes to these genes trigger inflammation that causes the disease to develop.These same genes, namely HLA-B and ERAP1, also play their own role in developing many specific types of cancer, such asHodgkin lymphoma.
People with ankylosing spondylitis are significantly less likely to beat cancer and more likely to develop cancer earlier in their lives than the general population.Certain medications, mainly biologics, may also increase the risk of cancer. Because they are often used as a treatment for ankylosing spondylitis, it adds to the risk of cancer.
Cancer Survival and Ankylosing SpondylitisBeating cancer relies heavily on factors such as a person’s current health, lifestyle, and stage when it is found. Ankylosing spondylitis increases the mortality rate of cancer.
Cancer Survival and Ankylosing Spondylitis
Beating cancer relies heavily on factors such as a person’s current health, lifestyle, and stage when it is found. Ankylosing spondylitis increases the mortality rate of cancer.
What Is the HLA-B27 Test for Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Treatment and Management of Ankylosing Spondylitis With Cancer
When a person develops cancer when they already have ankylosing spondylitis,cancer treatmentsare the same as they would be without AS. Possible therapies are:
Many treatments for ankylosing spondylitis involve usingimmunosuppressants, which are medications designed to hinder the action of the immune system. These medications are used in ankylosing spondylitis to try to curb inflammation.
If a person with ankylosing spondylitis has to undergochemotherapy, it is recommended that all immunosuppressant medications be stopped until after remission. Drugs that decrease the action of the immune system can make chemotherapy less effective.
The best thing a person with ankylosing spondylitis can do is monitor any changes in their health and get regular cancer screenings in the first three years following their diagnosis.That way, if cancer does develop, they will likely catch it as early as possible.
Managing Side Effects With Ankylosing SpondylitisCancer treatment has various side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, pain, hair loss, brain fog, and depression. When a person is dealing with both cancer and ankylosing spondylitis, coping with these side effects can be that much more difficult. It’s important to discuss what to expect and how to manage both diseases effectively with your healthcare team.
Managing Side Effects With Ankylosing Spondylitis
Cancer treatment has various side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, pain, hair loss, brain fog, and depression. When a person is dealing with both cancer and ankylosing spondylitis, coping with these side effects can be that much more difficult. It’s important to discuss what to expect and how to manage both diseases effectively with your healthcare team.
Watching for Cancer SymptomsIf you have recently been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, you should pay attention to your body and how you feel. That way, you will be able to notice any changes, no matter how subtle they are, that could point to cancer. Some early signs of cancer include:Unexplained weight lossFatigueFeverPainSkin changes
Watching for Cancer Symptoms
If you have recently been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, you should pay attention to your body and how you feel. That way, you will be able to notice any changes, no matter how subtle they are, that could point to cancer. Some early signs of cancer include:Unexplained weight lossFatigueFeverPainSkin changes
If you have recently been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, you should pay attention to your body and how you feel. That way, you will be able to notice any changes, no matter how subtle they are, that could point to cancer. Some early signs of cancer include:
Summary
Any medications that can counteract cancer therapy, such as immunosuppressants, are typically stopped during cancer treatment. To ensure overall health while coping with the diseases, a person with both should be aware of factors that they can control.
A Word From Verywell
Knowing the risk of cancer after an ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis may seem like more bad news. However, it puts you in a good position to screen and monitor yourself for symptoms or signs of cancer before it spreads and becomes more dangerous. Fortunately, cancer treatments are becoming more and more effective.
Frequently Asked QuestionsInflammation and gene changes that occur in ankylosing spondylitis play a role in cancer development. That is because chronic inflammation damages DNA, priming the area for cancer cells to grow out of control. Medications to treat ankylosing spondylitis can also increase a person’s risk of developing cancer.Learn MoreIs Ankylosing Spondylitis Genetic?Cancer treatments are the same in those with and without the disease. They can include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to remove tumors. In people with ankylosing spondylitis, the type of therapy will depend on what kind of cancer they have, what stage it is in, and what medications they have been on for their condition.Learn MoreWill Cancer Ever Be Cured?
Inflammation and gene changes that occur in ankylosing spondylitis play a role in cancer development. That is because chronic inflammation damages DNA, priming the area for cancer cells to grow out of control. Medications to treat ankylosing spondylitis can also increase a person’s risk of developing cancer.Learn MoreIs Ankylosing Spondylitis Genetic?
Inflammation and gene changes that occur in ankylosing spondylitis play a role in cancer development. That is because chronic inflammation damages DNA, priming the area for cancer cells to grow out of control. Medications to treat ankylosing spondylitis can also increase a person’s risk of developing cancer.
Learn MoreIs Ankylosing Spondylitis Genetic?
Cancer treatments are the same in those with and without the disease. They can include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to remove tumors. In people with ankylosing spondylitis, the type of therapy will depend on what kind of cancer they have, what stage it is in, and what medications they have been on for their condition.Learn MoreWill Cancer Ever Be Cured?
Cancer treatments are the same in those with and without the disease. They can include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to remove tumors. In people with ankylosing spondylitis, the type of therapy will depend on what kind of cancer they have, what stage it is in, and what medications they have been on for their condition.
Learn MoreWill Cancer Ever Be Cured?
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chang CC, Chang CW, Nguyen PA, Chang TH, Shih YL, Chang WY, Horng JT, Lee OK, Ho JH.Ankylosing spondylitis and the risk of cancer.Oncol Lett.2017 Aug;14(2):1315-1322. doi:10.3892/ol.2017.6368Chan TM, Luo SF, Yu KH, See LC, Huang LH, Kuo CF.Risk of cancer in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A nationwide cohort study in Taiwan.Scand J Rheumatol.2021 Mar;50(2):132-138. doi:10.1080/03009742.2020.1804612MedlinePlus.Ankylosing spondylitis.Tsui FW, Tsui HW, Akram A, Haroon N, Inman RD.The genetic basis of ankylosing spondylitis: new insights into disease pathogenesis.Appl Clin Genet.2014 May 22;7:105-15. doi:10.2147/TACG.S37325Jiang P, Veenstra RN, Seitz A, Nolte IM, Hepkema BG, Visser L, van den Berg A, Diepstra A.Interaction between ERAP Alleles and HLA Class I Types Support a Role of Antigen Presentation in Hodgkin Lymphoma Development.Cancers (Basel).2021 Jan 22;13(3):414. doi:10.3390/cancers13030414Spondylitis Association of America.Medications used to treat ankylosing spondylitis and related diseases.Kelty E, Raymond W, Inderjeeth C, Keen H, Nossent J, Preen DB.Cancer diagnosis and mortality in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A Western Australian retrospective cohort study.Int J Rheum Dis.2021 Feb;24(2):216-222. doi:10.1111/1756-185X.14036Jauregui-Amezaga A, Vermeire S, Prenen H.Use of biologics and chemotherapy in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and cancer.Ann Gastroenterol.2016 Apr-Jun;29(2):127-36. doi:10.20524/aog.2016.0004American Cancer Society.Nutrition and physical activity during and after cancer treatment: answers to common questions.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing cancer.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Early cancer warning signs: 5 symptoms you shouldn’t ignore.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chang CC, Chang CW, Nguyen PA, Chang TH, Shih YL, Chang WY, Horng JT, Lee OK, Ho JH.Ankylosing spondylitis and the risk of cancer.Oncol Lett.2017 Aug;14(2):1315-1322. doi:10.3892/ol.2017.6368Chan TM, Luo SF, Yu KH, See LC, Huang LH, Kuo CF.Risk of cancer in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A nationwide cohort study in Taiwan.Scand J Rheumatol.2021 Mar;50(2):132-138. doi:10.1080/03009742.2020.1804612MedlinePlus.Ankylosing spondylitis.Tsui FW, Tsui HW, Akram A, Haroon N, Inman RD.The genetic basis of ankylosing spondylitis: new insights into disease pathogenesis.Appl Clin Genet.2014 May 22;7:105-15. doi:10.2147/TACG.S37325Jiang P, Veenstra RN, Seitz A, Nolte IM, Hepkema BG, Visser L, van den Berg A, Diepstra A.Interaction between ERAP Alleles and HLA Class I Types Support a Role of Antigen Presentation in Hodgkin Lymphoma Development.Cancers (Basel).2021 Jan 22;13(3):414. doi:10.3390/cancers13030414Spondylitis Association of America.Medications used to treat ankylosing spondylitis and related diseases.Kelty E, Raymond W, Inderjeeth C, Keen H, Nossent J, Preen DB.Cancer diagnosis and mortality in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A Western Australian retrospective cohort study.Int J Rheum Dis.2021 Feb;24(2):216-222. doi:10.1111/1756-185X.14036Jauregui-Amezaga A, Vermeire S, Prenen H.Use of biologics and chemotherapy in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and cancer.Ann Gastroenterol.2016 Apr-Jun;29(2):127-36. doi:10.20524/aog.2016.0004American Cancer Society.Nutrition and physical activity during and after cancer treatment: answers to common questions.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing cancer.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Early cancer warning signs: 5 symptoms you shouldn’t ignore.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Chang CC, Chang CW, Nguyen PA, Chang TH, Shih YL, Chang WY, Horng JT, Lee OK, Ho JH.Ankylosing spondylitis and the risk of cancer.Oncol Lett.2017 Aug;14(2):1315-1322. doi:10.3892/ol.2017.6368Chan TM, Luo SF, Yu KH, See LC, Huang LH, Kuo CF.Risk of cancer in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A nationwide cohort study in Taiwan.Scand J Rheumatol.2021 Mar;50(2):132-138. doi:10.1080/03009742.2020.1804612MedlinePlus.Ankylosing spondylitis.Tsui FW, Tsui HW, Akram A, Haroon N, Inman RD.The genetic basis of ankylosing spondylitis: new insights into disease pathogenesis.Appl Clin Genet.2014 May 22;7:105-15. doi:10.2147/TACG.S37325Jiang P, Veenstra RN, Seitz A, Nolte IM, Hepkema BG, Visser L, van den Berg A, Diepstra A.Interaction between ERAP Alleles and HLA Class I Types Support a Role of Antigen Presentation in Hodgkin Lymphoma Development.Cancers (Basel).2021 Jan 22;13(3):414. doi:10.3390/cancers13030414Spondylitis Association of America.Medications used to treat ankylosing spondylitis and related diseases.Kelty E, Raymond W, Inderjeeth C, Keen H, Nossent J, Preen DB.Cancer diagnosis and mortality in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A Western Australian retrospective cohort study.Int J Rheum Dis.2021 Feb;24(2):216-222. doi:10.1111/1756-185X.14036Jauregui-Amezaga A, Vermeire S, Prenen H.Use of biologics and chemotherapy in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and cancer.Ann Gastroenterol.2016 Apr-Jun;29(2):127-36. doi:10.20524/aog.2016.0004American Cancer Society.Nutrition and physical activity during and after cancer treatment: answers to common questions.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing cancer.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Early cancer warning signs: 5 symptoms you shouldn’t ignore.
Chang CC, Chang CW, Nguyen PA, Chang TH, Shih YL, Chang WY, Horng JT, Lee OK, Ho JH.Ankylosing spondylitis and the risk of cancer.Oncol Lett.2017 Aug;14(2):1315-1322. doi:10.3892/ol.2017.6368
Chan TM, Luo SF, Yu KH, See LC, Huang LH, Kuo CF.Risk of cancer in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A nationwide cohort study in Taiwan.Scand J Rheumatol.2021 Mar;50(2):132-138. doi:10.1080/03009742.2020.1804612
MedlinePlus.Ankylosing spondylitis.
Tsui FW, Tsui HW, Akram A, Haroon N, Inman RD.The genetic basis of ankylosing spondylitis: new insights into disease pathogenesis.Appl Clin Genet.2014 May 22;7:105-15. doi:10.2147/TACG.S37325
Jiang P, Veenstra RN, Seitz A, Nolte IM, Hepkema BG, Visser L, van den Berg A, Diepstra A.Interaction between ERAP Alleles and HLA Class I Types Support a Role of Antigen Presentation in Hodgkin Lymphoma Development.Cancers (Basel).2021 Jan 22;13(3):414. doi:10.3390/cancers13030414
Spondylitis Association of America.Medications used to treat ankylosing spondylitis and related diseases.
Kelty E, Raymond W, Inderjeeth C, Keen H, Nossent J, Preen DB.Cancer diagnosis and mortality in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A Western Australian retrospective cohort study.Int J Rheum Dis.2021 Feb;24(2):216-222. doi:10.1111/1756-185X.14036
Jauregui-Amezaga A, Vermeire S, Prenen H.Use of biologics and chemotherapy in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and cancer.Ann Gastroenterol.2016 Apr-Jun;29(2):127-36. doi:10.20524/aog.2016.0004
American Cancer Society.Nutrition and physical activity during and after cancer treatment: answers to common questions.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing cancer.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Early cancer warning signs: 5 symptoms you shouldn’t ignore.
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