RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Risk of cancer among patients with herpes zoster infection: a population-based study
JF Canadian Medical Association Journal
JO CMAJ
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP E804
OP E809
DO 10.1503/cmaj.120518
VO 184
IS 15
A1 Yu-Ping Wang
A1 Chia-Jen Liu
A1 Yu-Wen Hu
A1 Tzeng-Ji Chen
A1 Yi-Tsung Lin
A1 Chang-Phone Fung
YR 2012
UL http://www.cmaj.ca/content/184/15/E804.abstract
AB Background: Whether the risk of cancer is increased among patients with herpes zoster is unclear. We investigated the risk of cancer among patients with herpes zoster using a nationwide health registry in Taiwan.Methods: We identified 35 871 patients with newly diagnosed herpes zoster during 2000–2008 from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. We analyzed the standardized incidence ratios for various types of cancer.Results: Among patients with herpes zoster, 895 cases of cancer were reported. Patients with herpes zoster were not at increased risk of cancer (standardized incidence ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.93–1.06). Among the subgroups stratified by sex, age and years of follow-up, there was also no increased risk of overall cancer.Interpretation: Herpes zoster is not associated with increased risk of cancer in the general population. These findings do not support extensive investigations for occult cancer or enhanced surveillance for cancer in patients with herpes zoster.