Risk for anogenital cancer and other cancer among women hospitalized with gonorrhea.

BACKGROUND

We investigated the relationship between infections with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and anogenital and other cancers.

METHODS

Nationwide and population based register linkage study utilizing prospectively notified information. The observed numbers of cancers among the women were compared with those expected on the basis of national incidence rates.

RESULTS

In a cohort of 4440 women hospitalized for gonorrhea we observed a total of 227 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III (CIN III), with 103 expected (standardized incidence ratio (SIR), 2.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.9-2.5). No significantly increased risk for other anogenital cancers or cancer at other sites was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the view that the observed association between gonorrheal infection and subsequent cervical preneoplasia is due mainly to surveillance bias. However, our results also indicate that women hospitalized with a N. gonorrhoeae infection will benefit from the compliance with the regular Pap smear screening programs.