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Cancer incidence in persons with elevated cobalamin levels
Jesper Ryg1, Mads Nybo, Jesper Hallas
1Department of Geriatric Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. jesper.ryg@ouh.regionsyddanmark.dk
European Journal of Clinical Investigation
|April 5, 2013
Summary
Elevated cobalamin levels (ECL) are linked to a higher cancer incidence, especially within six months of testing. This association is partly due to the reasons for cobalamin measurement, warranting further investigation for accidentally found ECL.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Clinical Medicine
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Elevated cobalamin level (ECL) is recognized as an epiphenomenon in various cancer types.
- The clinical significance of ECL detected during routine testing remains largely unknown.
- This study aimed to investigate cancer incidence in individuals with ECL.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between elevated cobalamin levels and subsequent cancer diagnoses.
- To assess the clinical significance of ECL in routine testing for cancer detection.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 476,580 residents of Funen County, Denmark, from 1999-2009.
- Follow-up stratified by age, gender, and cobalamin level (> 1,200 pmol/L).
- Utilized national registers to calculate standardized morbidity ratios (SMR) for cancer incidence.
Main Results:
- 490 individuals with ECL and 40,104 without were followed.
- Cancer diagnoses occurred within 6 months in 6.7% of ECL subjects versus 2.6% of non-ECL subjects.
- SMR for cancer was significantly higher in ECL subjects (15.1 within 6 months, 3.7 thereafter) compared to non-ECL subjects (5.0 and 1.8, respectively).
Conclusions:
- Individuals with ECL exhibit a high incidence of cancer, partly explained by the indications for cobalamin testing.
- Further research is needed to ascertain if incidentally discovered ECL warrants a comprehensive cancer screening workup.
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