Exposure to oral bisphosphonates and risk of esophageal cancer

Chris R Cardwell ¹, Christian C Abnet , Marie M Cantwell

⁰Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Grosvenor Rd, Belfast BT12 6BJ, United Kingdom. c.cardwell@qub.ac.uk

Jama +

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August 12, 2010

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Oral bisphosphonate use did not significantly increase the risk of esophageal or gastric cancer. This large study found no association between bisphosphonate medications and these cancers.

Area Of Science

Gastroenterology
Oncology
Pharmacovigilance

Background

Oral bisphosphonate use has risen globally.
Esophagitis is a known side effect; however, the link between bisphosphonates and esophageal cancer requires further investigation.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the association between oral bisphosphonate use and the risk of developing esophageal and gastric cancer.

Main Methods

A cohort study utilizing the UK General Practice Research Database.
Compared cancer incidence in oral bisphosphonate users versus non-users (1996-2006).
Used Cox proportional hazards modeling to assess cancer risk, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results

No significant difference in the incidence of esophageal and gastric cancer combined (aHR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.74-1.25) or esophageal cancer alone (aHR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.77-1.49) between bisphosphonate users and non-users.
Cancer risk was not associated with the duration of bisphosphonate intake.

Conclusions

Oral bisphosphonate use was not significantly associated with an increased risk of incident esophageal or gastric cancer in this UK population-based study.

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