Crohn’s Disease May Be Linked to a Small Increase in Cancer Risk, Study Finds

Crohn’s disease is a long-term inflammatory bowel condition that affects the digestive tract and can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, persistent diarrhoea, fatigue and changes in bowel habits. While treatment can help control inflammation and improve quality of life, new research suggests that people living with Crohn’s disease may also face a modestly higher risk of developing certain cancers.

A large Swedish study involving almost 39,000 people with Crohn’s disease examined cancer rates over more than seven years. The findings suggest that the increased risk may be linked more closely to Crohn’s disease itself and the chronic inflammation associated with it than to some of the medicines commonly used to control the condition.

The research provides useful information for patients and doctors, although it does not mean that most people with Crohn’s disease will develop cancer.

What Is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. Unlike some digestive conditions that primarily affect symptoms without causing ongoing inflammation, Crohn’s can produce persistent inflammation anywhere along the digestive tract.

The condition can affect people differently. Some experience periods of relatively mild symptoms, while others have more frequent or severe flare-ups. Common symptoms include abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, tiredness, weight loss and reduced appetite.

There is currently no known cure for Crohn’s disease, but medicines and other treatments can help reduce inflammation and keep the condition under control.

What Did the New Study Find?

Researchers used Swedish national health databases to examine nearly 39,000 patients diagnosed with Crohn’s disease between 2007 and 2022. Each patient was compared with as many as ten people without inflammatory bowel disease who were similar in terms of factors such as age, sex and geographic location.

This created a comparison group of more than 360,000 people.

The researchers examined cancer diagnoses among people with Crohn’s disease and looked at whether patients had previously received immune-suppressing treatments.

Overall, people with Crohn’s disease had a higher rate of certain cancers than the general population. However, the absolute increase was relatively small.

After excluding non-melanoma skin cancers, the research indicated approximately one additional cancer diagnosis per 1,000 people each year.

That distinction is important. A higher relative risk can sound alarming, but the actual additional risk for an individual patient may remain low.

Which Cancers Were Associated With Crohn’s Disease?

The researchers identified stronger associations between Crohn’s disease and several types of cancer.

These included certain skin cancers, lung cancer, cancers affecting the small intestine, cancers of the liver and bile ducts, and some blood cancers such as lymphoma.

Skin cancer showed one of the clearest associations. Both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma occurred more frequently among people with Crohn’s disease.

The study also identified an increased risk of hepatobiliary cancers, which include cancers affecting the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts.

However, the researchers did not find a significant increase in colorectal, breast or prostate cancer in their analysis.

Is Medication Responsible?

One of the important questions surrounding Crohn’s disease and cancer is whether the increased risk comes from the condition itself or from medications used to treat it.

Crohn’s disease is often treated with medicines that alter or suppress aspects of the immune system. Some treatments have previously been associated with concerns about particular cancers.

The Swedish research found that patients who had never received immunosuppressive medication could still have higher cancer rates than people without Crohn’s disease.

This suggests that chronic inflammation associated with Crohn’s may play an important role.

Long-lasting inflammation can affect cells and tissues over time. Researchers believe that repeated inflammatory activity may contribute to changes that make abnormal cell growth more likely.

This does not mean that Crohn’s disease directly causes cancer in every patient. Instead, it highlights why controlling inflammation and maintaining regular medical care are important parts of managing the condition.

What About Lymphoma?

Blood cancers, particularly lymphoma, were another area of interest.

The study found that some Crohn’s patients who had received certain immune-suppressing treatments had a higher relative risk of lymphoma compared with the general population.

However, relative risk should always be considered alongside absolute risk. A higher percentage increase does not necessarily mean that an individual patient has a high likelihood of developing the disease.

Treatment decisions for Crohn’s disease involve balancing potential benefits against potential risks. Doctors consider factors such as disease severity, previous treatments, age, other health conditions and individual risk factors.

Patients should not stop or change prescribed Crohn’s medication because of cancer concerns without first discussing the decision with their healthcare professional.

Why Screening and Monitoring Matter

The findings reinforce the importance of ongoing healthcare for people with Crohn’s disease.

Depending on a person's medical history, doctors may recommend bowel examinations, skin checks or other forms of monitoring. Screening recommendations can vary according to age, symptoms, family history, disease location, duration and other individual factors.

People with Crohn’s disease should also tell their healthcare team about new or persistent symptoms rather than assuming they are simply another flare-up.

Changes such as unexplained weight loss, unusual bleeding, persistent changes in bowel habits, new lumps or unusual skin changes should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional.

The Study Has Important Limitations

Although the research was large, it does not prove that Crohn’s disease directly causes every cancer identified in the analysis.

The study was observational, meaning researchers analysed existing health information rather than assigning people to treatments in a controlled clinical trial. As a result, other factors could have influenced the findings.

For example, lifestyle factors and other health conditions may contribute to cancer risk.

The study was also conducted using Swedish health data. Cancer rates and healthcare practices can differ between countries, so the findings may not translate perfectly to people living in the United States, United Kingdom or elsewhere.

The follow-up period of slightly more than seven years may also be too short to capture some cancers that develop over much longer periods.

What Patients Should Take From the Research

The main message is not that Crohn’s disease means a person is likely to develop cancer.

Instead, the research suggests that Crohn’s disease is associated with a modest increase in the risk of several cancers, with chronic inflammation potentially playing a significant role.

For patients, the findings underline the value of controlling inflammation, attending recommended appointments and following personalised screening advice.

The benefits of effective Crohn’s disease treatment can be substantial, and decisions about medication should be made with a doctor who understands the patient's individual circumstances.

As research continues, longer-term studies may provide a clearer picture of how Crohn’s disease, inflammation and different treatments affect cancer risk over decades.

Final Thoughts

Crohn’s disease can be challenging to manage, but a diagnosis does not mean that cancer is inevitable. The latest research points to a relatively small increase in absolute cancer risk while also highlighting the importance of long-term disease management.

People living with Crohn’s should continue working with their healthcare providers to control inflammation, discuss appropriate screening and review treatment options regularly.

The most useful approach is informed monitoring rather than unnecessary fear. Understanding the potential risks can help patients and doctors make better decisions about ongoing care.

Sources

• American Journal of Gastroenterology, “Absolute Risk of Malignancy by Treatment in Patients With Crohn's Disease,” 2026.
• Daily Mail Health, published August 14, 2026.
• Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, research examining Crohn’s disease prevalence and incidence among the US Medicaid population, 2024.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Cancer risk varies between individuals and can depend on factors including age, genetics, lifestyle, disease history and treatment. Anyone with Crohn’s disease or concerns about cancer risk should speak with a qualified healthcare professional. Do not stop, start or change prescribed medication without medical advice.