Research suggests a link between hidradenitis suppurativa and an increased risk of developing lymphoma. A 2019 study published in JAMA Dermatology found that people with hidradenitis suppurativa were two to four times more likely to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Another study from Korea found that patients with hidradenitis suppurativa had a higher overall risk of developing cancer, with a notable increase in non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk.
Chronic inflammation in hidradenitis suppurativa may dysregulate the immune system, increasing the risk of lymphoma. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system, and swollen lymph nodes can be an early sign of lymphoma. A recent brief report published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology highlights the importance of dermatologists examining lymph nodes in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.
Study Findings
A study using the TiNetX Research Network database identified 228,688 people with hidradenitis suppurativa and 6,617,423 people without the condition. After matching, the study compared 218,703 people with hidradenitis suppurativa to a control group of the same size. The study found that overall lymphoma incidence was 0.48% in the hidradenitis suppurativa group, compared to 0.30% in the control group, representing a 60% greater risk.
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The study also examined the risk of different lymphoma subtypes.
Medication and Lymphoma Risk
The study investigated the effect of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor medications, such as Humira and Remicade, on lymphoma risk in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. The study found no difference in lymphoma risk among those taking one of the medications, as measured by one or more prescriptions, and those not taking them.
As researchers continue to explore the link between hidradenitis suppurativa and lymphoma, it’s possible that a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms could lead to targeted interventions to reduce lymphoma risk. For now, the study’s findings emphasize the importance of dermatologists being vigilant in examining lymph nodes in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.
