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Comparative Study
. 2011 Aug;65(2):304-312.
doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2010.05.042. Epub 2011 May 6.

Analgesic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory use in relation to nonmelanoma skin cancer: a population-based case-control study

Dorothea C Torti  1 , Brock C Christensen  2 , Craig A Storm  3 , Joan Fortuny  4 , Ann E Perry  3 , Michael S Zens  5 , Therese Stukel  6 , Steven K Spencer  1 , Heather H Nelson  7 , Margaret R Karagas  8
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Analgesic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory use in relation to nonmelanoma skin cancer: a population-based case-control study

Dorothea C Torti et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011 Aug.

Abstract

Background: Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are potentially chemopreventive.

Objective: We examined the relation between NSAID use and nonmelanoma skin cancer in a population-based case-control study.

Methods: NSAID and analgesic use was analyzed in 1484 participants: 535 with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 487 with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and 462 control subjects.

Results: Use of NSAIDs, particularly aspirin, was associated with a reduced odds ratio (OR) of SCC, especially tumors positive for p53 (OR 0.29; 95% confidence interval 0.11-0.79) or with PTCH loss of heterozygosity (OR 0.35; 95% confidence interval 0.13-0.96). Although not considered a NSAID, decreased ORs of both basal cell carcinoma and SCC were observed in relation to use of paracetamol (acetaminophen). Risk of BCC was unrelated to NSAID use.

Limitations: Self-reported drug use was a limitation.

Conclusions: This study supports the hypothesis that NSAIDs, aspirin in particular, may reduce risk of SCC and may affect specific molecular subtypes of SCC.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

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