Diseases Associated with Specific Cancers
Certain diseases and conditions increase the risk of specific cancers due to genetic, environmental, or pathological mechanisms. Below are important associations to remember:
- Down Syndrome: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
- Xeroderma Pigmentosum: Melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin.
- Chronic Active Gastritis / Pernicious Anaemia: Gastric adenocarcinoma.
- Tuberous Sclerosis: Astrocytoma, cardiac rhabdomyoma.
- Barrett’s Oesophagus: Oesophageal adenocarcinoma.
- Cirrhosis: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- Ulcerative Colitis: Colorectal cancer.
- Acanthosis Nigricans: Stomach, lung, breast, and uterine cancers.
- AIDS: Kaposi’s sarcoma, malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
- Paget’s Disease of Bone: Osteosarcoma.
- Plummer-Vinson Syndrome: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oesophagus.
Explanation of Associations
- Genetic Disorders: Chromosomal abnormalities (e.g., Down syndrome) or defective DNA repair (e.g., xeroderma pigmentosum) predispose to malignancy.
- Chronic Inflammation: Persistent inflammation (e.g., ulcerative colitis, gastritis) increases malignancy risk.
- Precursor Lesions: Dysplastic changes (e.g., Barrett’s oesophagus, Plummer-Vinson syndrome) can evolve into cancer.
- Immunodeficiency: AIDS reduces immune surveillance → virus-associated cancers like Kaposi’s sarcoma and NHL.
- Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders: Acanthosis nigricans may indicate underlying gastric or other internal malignancy.
Management and Prevention
- Regular Screening: Colonoscopy for ulcerative colitis, endoscopy for Barrett’s oesophagus.
- Vaccination: HPV (cervical cancer), HBV (hepatocellular carcinoma).
- Risk Reduction: Treat H. pylori in chronic gastritis, manage HIV in AIDS patients, address modifiable risk factors.
References