A meta-analysis of anal cancer incidence by risk group: towards a unified anal cancer risk scale

A new meta-analysis by scientists from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and partner institutions examines anal cancer incidence in groups that have been established to be at elevated risk of anal cancer. It provides robust and comparable estimates of anal cancer incidence on a scale that represents the full spectrum of risk groups, including people living with HIV, men who have sex with men, women who have been diagnosed with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related gynaecological precancerous lesions or cancer, recipients of solid organ transplantation, and patients with autoimmune diseases. The meta-analysis was published in the International Journal of Cancer.

This unifying anal cancer risk scale provides a robust representation of the wide spectrum of anal cancer burden that exists among populations that are considered to be at significantly elevated risk. It can improve prioritization and standardization in anal cancer prevention and research initiatives, underpinned by a principle of similar management for populations of similar absolute risk.

Clifford GM, Georges D, Shiels MS, Engels EA, Albuquerque A, Poynten IM, et al.
A meta-analysis of anal cancer incidence by risk group: towards a unified anal cancer risk scale
Int J Cancer, Published online 4 July 2020;
https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.33185

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