Patients with celiac disease (CeD) face a higher risk for some gastrointestinal (GI) cancers than the general population, according to a new study published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The study by French researchers examined the relationship between CeD and several GI cancers and inflammatory digestive diseases.
The study analyzed data from 27,114 hospitalized CeD patients over nine years. Compared to non-CeD controls, celiac patients faced significantly higher risks for small bowel cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, colon cancer, and gastric cancer. Notably, no elevated risks were observed for rectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or melanoma.
Additionally, patients in this cohort also demonstrated increased risk for inflammatory digestive diseases, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis , and noninfectious enterocolitis.
According to Dr. Benjamin Lebwohl, Director of Clinical Research at The Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University:
“This study confirmed the known relationship between celiac disease and several rare cancers such as small intestinal cancer and enteropathy associated T cell lymphoma, and also with pancreatic cancer, a malignancy that is rising in the general population. These findings do not mean that we should perform preventive screening examinations looking for these cancers in people who feel well. But they should serve as a reminder to be vigilant regarding the evaluation of symptoms such as unintentional weight loss.”
Previous research has shown that adherence to a strict gluten-free diet can lower the risk cancer in individuals with CeD. However, this study underscores the serious long-term health risks that remain for CeD patients, especially prior to diagnosis. Further research focused on early prediction of celiac disease, improved treatments, and strategies beyond the gluten-free diet is crucial to mitigate the risk of long-term complications, including cancer, in CeD patients.
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