Summary: New long-term data suggest that people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) may face a higher overall risk of developing cancer compared with the general population, with particularly elevated risks for cancers of the respiratory tract, urinary system and central nervous system.
Source: Spink Health
Overview of the Study
Results from a 65-year follow-up study of nearly 7,000 Norwegian patients with multiple sclerosis indicate an overall increased cancer risk for people with MS compared with those without the condition. The findings, presented at the 5th European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress in Oslo, highlight notably higher risks for cancers affecting the respiratory organs, the urinary tract and the central nervous system (CNS).
Key Findings
The long-term analysis was conducted using linked records from Norwegian MS and cancer registries and included comprehensive prevalence data. The cohort comprised 6,883 people with MS born between 1930 and 1979, along with 8,918 of their siblings who do not have MS, and a reference group of 37,919 individuals from the general population. Comparing cancer incidence across these groups produced the following relative increases for people with MS versus the non-MS population:
- Respiratory cancer: 66% higher risk
- Central nervous system (CNS) cancer: 52% higher risk
- Urinary system cancer: 51% higher risk
- Overall cancer incidence: 14% higher risk
Sibling Comparison and Haematological Cancer
A novel element of this research is the inclusion of siblings without MS as a comparison group. Because siblings share much of their genetic background and early-life environment, this comparison helps to separate MS-specific influences from shared familial factors. The researchers reported an increased incidence of haematological cancers (including types such as lymphoma, leukaemia and myeloma) in the non-MS siblings compared with both MS patients and the broader population, a finding that may point to shared genetic or environmental contributors that deserve further investigation.
“Additional research could also identify the possible connections between haematological cancer and MS and new ways in which we could manage these conditions,” noted Dr Nina Grytten, lead researcher from Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, when presenting the results at the EAN congress.
Interpretation and Implications
Previous studies on cancer risk among people with MS have produced mixed results, and this large, long-term Norwegian cohort adds important evidence to the discussion. The observed patterns do not establish direct cause-and-effect relationships but do raise clinically relevant questions about cancer surveillance, earlier detection and tailored care for people living with MS. Increased awareness among clinicians and patients could help shorten time to diagnosis and improve treatment outcomes where cancer is detected.
The findings also underscore the importance of research into potential shared mechanisms between MS and certain cancer types. If a common etiology or overlapping risk factors exist—genetic predisposition, immune system alterations, or environmental exposures—understanding those links could inform prevention strategies and influence how clinicians monitor patients and at-risk relatives over time.
About Multiple Sclerosis and Haematological Cancer
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune condition that primarily affects the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Symptoms can include visual disturbances, motor weakness, sensory changes and balance problems. MS is a leading cause of disability in younger adults and is associated with reduced life expectancy compared with the general population.
Haematological cancers are malignancies that affect blood, bone marrow and lymphoid tissues. Common categories include leukaemias, lymphomas and myelomas, each encompassing a range of specific subtypes. When studies identify potential links between autoimmune conditions and blood cancers, researchers consider genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation and environmental exposures as possible shared factors worth further study.
Conclusions and Next Steps
While this study strengthens evidence for an elevated cancer risk in people with MS—especially for respiratory, urinary and CNS cancers—it also points to intriguing signals in family members that warrant additional research. Future studies should aim to clarify causal pathways, examine the role of shared genetic and environmental risk factors, and determine whether screening recommendations or clinical monitoring should be adjusted for people with MS and their families.
Source:
Spink Health
Media Contacts:
Luke Paskins – Spink Health
Image Source:
The image is in the public domain.
Original research: Findings were presented at the 5th European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress in Oslo, Norway.