An epidemiological study estimating the burden of cancer risk in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon

TL;DR

This study finds that Raynaud’s phenomenon is linked to a higher cancer risk, especially for certain types like thorax, skin, and blood cancers.

Contribution

The study is the first to estimate cancer risk in Raynaud’s phenomenon without autoimmune disease associations.

Findings

RP was associated with increased overall cancer risk in both younger and older individuals.

RP showed increased risk for thorax, skin, and haematological cancers.

RP was linked to reduced risk for digestive cancers.

Abstract

Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is a common vasospastic condition that may develop secondary to cancer and/or in association with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). We aimed to estimate the risk of cancer in RP without known SARDs, phenotypically akin to ‘primary’ RP.

A cohort study using data from North American electronic healthcare organization records. RP was defined using ≥ 2 ICD (I73.0) codes, excluding SARDs. Comparators had ≥ 2 irritable bowel syndrome ICD (K58) codes: selected with similar epidemiology to RP, and without any known excess in cancer risk. Cohorts were stratified by age (< 45 and ≥ 45 years). Our primary outcome was any cancer event. Secondary outcomes were rates of specific cancers: head and neck, digestive, thorax, skin, breast, haematological, male/female genital. Risk of each outcome was compared using 1:1 propensity score-matched Cox proportional hazard models.

Among 34,582 (< 45 years) and 68,836 (≥ 45 years) matched pairs, the hazard ratio (HR) of any cancer was higher in RP: < 45 [1.11 (1.03, 1.19)] and ≥ 45 [1.08 (1.05, 1.11)]. Cancer-specific risks were calculated. RP was associated in both age groups with increased risk of thorax (HR 2.077 & 1.433), skin (HR 1.202 &1.213), and haematological (HR 1.647 & 1.338) cancers. RP was associated with decreased risk of digestive cancer (HR 0.686 & 0.894).

RP was associated with an increased risk of cancer, independent of age. We also describe varying cancer-specific risks. Future research is warranted to confirm and explore these novel observations, including potentially shared pathobiological mechanisms.
Key Points• RP was associated with an overall increased risk of all cancers in younger (<45years) and older (≥45 years) individuals.• There was an increased risk of certain (e.g., thorax, skin, and haematological) cancers with RP.• A reduced risk of cancer was also noted for certain cancers, especially GI-related.• Future research should confirm and explore these observations, including the pathobiology underpinning potential cancer risk in RP.

Key Points

• RP was associated with an overall increased risk of all cancers in younger (<45years) and older (≥45 years) individuals.

• There was an increased risk of certain (e.g., thorax, skin, and haematological) cancers with RP.

• A reduced risk of cancer was also noted for certain cancers, especially GI-related.

• Future research should confirm and explore these observations, including the pathobiology underpinning potential cancer risk in RP.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10067-026-07961-y.