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. 2023 May 3;10:1172634. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1172634

Incidence of lymphomas in inflammatory bowel disease: report of an emblematic case, systematic review, and meta-analysis

Maria Francesca Russo 1, Annalisa Diddoro 1, Alessandra Iodice 1, Carola Severi 2, Lidia Castagneto-Gissey 1,*, Giovanni Casella 1
PMCID: PMC10188968  PMID: 37206474

Abstract

Introduction

Over the past 20 years, the increasing use of combined therapy with immunosuppressants and biologic agents has markedly reduced the use of steroids in the management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). However, medical therapy seems to promote, in the long run, carcinogenesis resulting in an increased risk of developing different types of malignancies, including lymphomas. The aim of this study was to systematically review the current incidence and prognosis of lymphoid neoplasms occurring in patients with IBD.

Methods

Studies analyzing the incidence of lymphomas in subjects of age >18 years affected by IBD were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Studies focusing on pediatric populations, not reporting person-years of follow-up, or with a duration < 1 year were excluded. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Central Register were searched from inception through January 2022. Publication bias within studies was assessed using Begg's and Egger's tests and random effects model. Quantitative results were synthesized using relative-risk meta-analysis. PRISMA guidelines were used to carry out this systematic review (PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42023398348).

Results

A total of 345 studies published between 1985 and 2022, with a total of 6,17,386 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Substantial heterogeneity between studies prevented the pooling of estimates (I2 = 97.19%). Evidence of publication bias was overall low (p = 0.1941). Patients affected by Crohn's disease (CD) were 1,86,074 (30.13%), while 2,78,876 (46.17%) were diagnosed with UC. The remaining 23.7% of cases were diagnosed with indeterminate colitis. Immunomodulators and biologic therapy were used in 24,520 (5.27%), and 17,972 (3.86%) patients, respectively. Reported incidence rates for lymphoma in IBD ranged from 0.0/100,000 person/years (py) (95% CI 0.0–3.7/100,000) to 89/100,000 py (95% CI 36–160/100,000). Reported incidence rates of lymphoma in CD ranged from 0.0/100,000 py (95% CI 0.0–3.7/100,000) to 91/100,000 py (95% CI 18–164/100,000). For UC, the incidence rate ranged from 0.0/100,000 py (95% CI 0.0–3.7/100,000) to 95/100,000 py (95% CI 0–226/100,000). Male-to-female ratio was ~4:1. Therapy with immunomodulators was directly associated with an increased incidence of lymphoma (p < 0.0001). Evidence of publication bias was overall low (p = 0 .1941).

Conclusions

The evidence arising from this study highlights a correlation between the use of immunomodulators and subsequent lymphoma development. Combined multidisciplinary approach and long-term follow-up are warranted in order to decrease mortality deriving from the coexistence of both conditions.

Systematic review registration

Identifier: CRD42023398348.

Keywords: lymphoma, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, proctocolectomy, biologic agents

1. Introduction

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), namely Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic, idiopathic, lifelong inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract (1). The foundation of treatment in IBD is represented by medical therapies that diminish the mucosal inflammatory response. During the past 20 years, an increasing use of combined therapy with immunosuppressants and biologic agents has markedly reduced the use of steroids (2). However, medical therapy seems to promote, in the long run, carcinogenesis resulting in an increased risk of developing different types of malignancies, including lymphomas (3). Specifically, thiopurines are associated with an increased risk of lymphoma development (4–6). For what concerns anti-TNF drugs, it is unclear whether the greater risk of lymphoma is due to biologic therapy itself, or whether the augmented risk is explained by past or concomitant exposure to immunosuppressants, namely thiopurines (7–10). Additionally, the risk of lymphoma in patients who are exposed to combination therapy is still unknown (5, 10). In the absence of immunosuppressive therapies or biologic agents the absolute risk of developing lymphomas in the IBD subpopulation is quite low and does not seem to exceed that of the general population (11). Furthermore, Epstein-Barr virus is significantly involved in lymphoma development in patients with IBD, accounting for at least 40% of cases when patients are treated with immunomodulators (12).

According to a French national cohort study of an estimated 1,89,289 patients affected by IBD, those receiving combination therapy of thiopurine and anti-TNF agents had a 6-fold greater risk of lymphoma compared to those receiving monotherapy of either drug (13). A 2018 meta-analysis revealed the presence of a strong correlation between lymphoma risk and anti-TNF exposure (14). On the contrary, a recent review of observational data was unable to identify or rule out any link between lymphomas and anti-TNF medication in IBD patients (15).

The aim of this study was to systematically review the current incidence and prognosis of lymphoid neoplasms occurring in patients with IBD, additionally describing an emblematic case of a 56-year-old female patient affected by UC and a subsequent delayed diagnosis of large bowel lymphoma.

2. Case report

A 56-year-old Jehovah's Witness female patient, previously diagnosed with UC in 2018, and under medical treatment with mesalazine, salazopirine and corticosteroids, was admitted to our Department in August 2022, due to recurrent low-grade fever, malaise, asthenia, anemia (Hb 7.1 g/dL) and bloody diarrhea. On physical examination, the patient presented with abdominal pain in the left upper quadrant. The patient had a previous history of Hashimoto's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and immune-mediated pericarditis. Furthermore, the patient was treated in the past with biologic agents (infliximab) and immunosuppressants (azathioprine).

A colonoscopy was performed due to the suspicion of UC exacerbation, which showed edematous mucosa, erythema, hyperemia, granularity, loss of vascular markings and mucosal friability. Immunochemistry to cytomegalovirus was negative.

Additionally, an abdomen CT scan was performed, showing circumferential, symmetrical wall thickening with fold enlargement at the level of the sigmoid colon along with inhomogeneous attenuation and proliferation of perirectal fat. Concomitant multiple reactive lymph nodes in the mesentery, perirectal and parasigmoid areas were also present (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Pre-operative CT scan findings. (A) Circumferential, symmetrical wall thickening with fold enlargement at the level of the sigmoid colon (arrow) along with inhomogeneous attenuation and proliferation of perirectal fat. (B) Concomitant multiple reactive lymph nodes (arrow) in the mesentery, perirectal and parasigmoid tissue.

During hospital stay the patient was started on intravenous iron infusion and high-dose steroids, with improvement of symptoms and reduction of per rectal bleeding.

Due to the recurrence of the aforementioned symptoms which became refractory to medical therapy in September 2022, the patient underwent laparoscopic total proctocolectomy with end ileostomy.

On post-operative day 4 the patient presented with high-grade fever, which spontaneously resolved. On post-operative day 7, the patient was discharged home in good clinical conditions. The stoma was healthy and productive.

Due to recurrent low-grade fever, on post-operative day 20, the patient underwent a CT scan which showed at least three hypointense hepatic lesions with periportal halo; dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary tree on the left and inhomogeneous enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma as for cholangitis. Rounded lesions with blurred margins were also present in the splenic parenchyma. The CT scan also showed an increase in size and number of the splenic hilar, hepatic hilar and retrocrural lymph nodes as well as lumbar-aortic, paraaortic and aorto-caval lymphomegaly. These findings were highly suspicious for a lymphoproliferative disease (Figure 2).

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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CT scan findings 20 days post-operatively. (A) The arrow shows one of the three hypointense hepatic lesions and periportal halo. (B) Dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary tree and inhomogeneous enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma as for cholangitis with increase in size and number of the splenic hilar (arrow), hepatic hilar and paraaortic lymph nodes.

Histopathological analysis of the surgical specimen showed intestinal localization of EBV-related lymphoproliferative disease with histological and immunophenotypic features of classic Hodgkin lymphoma with mixed cellularity, arising from chronic inflammatory disease of the large bowel.

In October 2022 the patient was admitted to the Emergency Department due to high-grade fever and anemia and was later transferred to the Gastroenterology Unit where she underwent additional imaging. An MRI of the abdomen showed hepatomegaly and reduction in size of the hepatic lesions previously described. The multiple reactive abdominopelvic lymph nodes were also reduced (Figure 3).

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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MRI findings during subsequent hospital admission. (A, B) Hepatomegaly and size reduction of the hepatic lesions previously described (arrow), with reduction of the multiple reactive abdominopelvic lymph nodes.

Due to the worsening of her general conditions, she underwent an abdominal ultrasound which showed increased subhepatic and peripancreatic lymph nodes. A follow-up CT scan which showed an increase in the size of hepatic lesions, fluid collection around the gallbladder and common bile duct dilation. Furthermore, fluid effusion in the left colic gutter and in the pelvis was also present. All these findings were compatible with obstructive cholangitis. Splenomegaly and additional lymph nodes determining compressive phenomena on the inferior vena cava were also seen (Figure 4).

Figure 4.

Figure 4

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CT scan findings. (A, B) Increase in size and number of hepatic lesions (arrows), (C) Splenomegaly. (D) Fluid effusion in the right colic gutter.

The patient died shortly after in November 2022 due to hepatic failure.

3. Methods

3.1. Search strategy and selection of studies

This study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of previously published data, which was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. This study was registered to the PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews (Registration Number: CRD42023398348).

The Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes and Study (PICOS) framework was used to formulate the study protocol as follows. Population: all persons diagnosed with IBD eventually developing lymphoma. Papers that explored juvenile and pediatric cases only were excluded. Outcome: incidence rate of lymphoma in IBD population was the primary outcome measure. This review did not have an intervention or comparator group.

The search was performed using the following electronic databases without any year restriction, from inception through January 30, 2022: PubMed, Embase, the Web of Science Core Collection, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. All abstracts in the English language were screened for applicability. A manual search using the following keywords extracted from the Medical Subjects Heading (MeSH) was made: “inflammatory bowel disease” AND “IBD” AND “Crohn's disease” AND “ulcerative colitis” AND “lymphoma” AND “incidence” AND “prevalence” AND “malignancies”.

3.2. Eligibility criteria

All studies evaluating persons of age >18 years and diagnosed with IBD eventually developing lymphoma were included in the review. Studies were included if they reported incidence or provided sufficient information to accurately calculate the incidence of lymphomas in adult IBD patients. Studies focusing on pediatric populations, not reporting person-years of follow-up, or with a duration <1 year were excluded. All studies with missing text, with insufficiently reported data or not written in English were also excluded.

3.3. Critical assessment of studies and collection of data

Data extraction was conducted in parallel by three reviewers (MFR, AD, and AI). Data regarding study details (author, year of publication), study characteristics (design, settings) and participant data (population size, incidence rate for diseases studied and the corresponding 95% CIs) were extracted.

The three reviewers independently gathered data, which they then compared and cross-checked. Missing data was sought on the journal's database and included if present. All studies with missing text or with insufficiently reported data were excluded.

All studies that reported incidence or provided sufficient information to accurately calculate the incidence of lymphomas in adult IBD patients were included. Studies focusing on pediatric populations, not reporting person-years of follow-up, or duration <1 year, and not written in English were excluded.

The following data were retrieved for each study: study design, years of follow up, surgical intervention, medical therapy, lymphoma diagnosis and incidence rate.

3.4. Study heterogeneity and risk of bias assessment

Assessment of heterogeneity was performed using the I2 statistic. I2 >50% was taken to represent moderate heterogeneity, and I2 >75% to represent high heterogeneity. Publication bias within studies was assessed with a funnel plot using a random effects model. Publication bias was evaluated through the Begg's and Egger's tests (16). A substantial association between the rankings of the effect estimates and the ranks of their variances is determined by Begg's test. Egger's test examines the relationship between the standardized effect estimates and the standard error using linear regression. Bias is indicated by asymmetrical Funnel plots.

3.5. Statistical analysis

A Freeman-Tukey transformation (17) was used to calculate the weighted summary proportion under the fixed and random effects model (18).

The correlation between immunomodulators and the risk of developing lymphoma was assessed with a relative-risk meta-analysis.

Individual studies were assigned a bias risk rating using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-Randomized Studies of Intervention (ROBINS-I). The Robvis visualization tool was used to visualizing risk-of-bias assessments (19, 20) (Figure 5).

Figure 5.

Figure 5

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Robvis visualization tool. “Traffic light” plots of the domain-level judgments for each individual result.

Individual study unadjusted incidence rates [per 100,000 person-years (py)] were calculated from the reported number of cancer cases and person-years of follow-up. Standard errors and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated assuming a Poisson distribution (21, 22). In situations with zero observed cases, the value of 3.7 was used to calculate incidence rates and the confidence interval upper limit (22).

In the inverse variance method, the weight given to each study is the inverse of the variance of the effect estimate (i.e., one over the square of its standard error). Thus, larger studies are given more weight than smaller studies, which have larger standard errors. This choice of weight minimizes the imprecision (uncertainty) of the pooled effect estimate (23–25).

Statistical analysis was performed using MedCalc Statistical Software version 19.2.6 p values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant (26).

4. Results

A total of 345 studies were found in the electronic search. After reviewing titles and abstracts, 133 studies were excluded before screening because they were either reviews, systematic reviews or meta-analyses, while 212 were screened. One hundred forty records were excluded because lymphoma onset was not included as an endpoint, or the record did not report full text. The pediatric population was included in the study. The remaining 72 articles were analyzed; 36 articles were excluded because they did not report person-year follow-up or duration was <1 year. Eventually, a total of 36 articles comprising 6,17,386 patients were included in the final analysis (Figure 6).

Figure 6.

Figure 6

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Flowchart for article selection.

Ten of the published articles were retrospective cohort studies, 8 were prospective cohort studies, 4 were case-control studies and the study design could not be determined for 14 studies. Average follow-up was an estimated 14.8 ± 12.3 years. Patients affected by CD were 1,86,074 (30.1%), while 2,78,876 (46.2%) were diagnosed with UC. The remaining 23.7% of cases were diagnosed with indeterminate colitis. Surgical intervention was necessary to treat IBD in 3,761 (0.80%) cases refractory to medical therapy.

Immunomodulators and biologic therapy were used in 24,520 (5.27%), and 17,972 (3.86%) patients, respectively (Table 1).

Table 1.

Characteristics of included studies of lymphoma in IBD.

References Journal Publication year Study design Person years Follow-up (yrs) Patients Diagnosis Surgery (%) Immunomodulator use (%) Biologic use (%)
Abbas et al. (27) Am J Gastroenterol 2012 Retrospective cohort 3,52,429 11.0 32,039 UC 0 0
Beaugerie et al. (6) Lancet 2009 Prospective cohort 22,706 3.0 10,810 IBD 0 0
10,899 5,153 CD 0 0
11,807 5,657 UC 0 0
Bernstein et al. (28) Cancer 2001 Case-control 41,005 14.0 5,529 IBD 0 0
21,340 2,857 CD 0 0
19,665 2,672 UC 0 0
Biancone et al. (29) J Crohn's Colitis 2016 Case-control 1,32,507 3.0 44,619 IBD
65,859 21,953 CD 0.75
67,998 22,666 UC 0.07
Biancone et al. (30) Inflamm Bowel Dis 2020 Case-control 2,418 403 IBD
1,224 204 CD 59.3
1,134 199 UC 20.6
Caini et al. (31) Alimentary Tract 2016 Prospective cohort 20,509 22.3 920 IBD
5,128 231 CD
15,381 689 UC
Campos et al. (32) Arquivos Gastroenterol 2013 Retrospective cohort 8,442 10.5 804 CD
7,708 9.6 803 UC
Chiorean et al. (33) Dig Dis Sci 2011 30,121 8.4 3,585 IBD
19,127 2,277 CD
10,994 1,308 UC
de Francisco et al. (34) Alimentary Paharmacol Ther 2018 Prospective cohort 6,732 4.54 1,483 IBD 0.06 0.94 0.2
3,941 769 CD 30.0 12.7 1.82
2,955 651 UC 1.84 32.7 16.1
Farrell et al. (35) Gut 2000 6,256 9.0 782 IBD 30
Fraser et al. (36) Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2002 Retrospective cohort 55,388 35.0 1,578 IBD 0 0
20,494 584 CD 0 0
34,894 994 UC 0 0
Greenstein et al. (37) Cancer 1985 Retrospective cohort 43,142 22.0 1,961 IBD
26,994 1,227 CD
16,148 734 UC
Herrinton et al. (9) Am J Gastroenterol 2011 67,867 13.0 16,023 IBD 0 0
Jess et al. (38) Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2004 6,569 35.0 374 CD
Jess et al. (39) Am J Gastroenterol 2013 Prospective cohort 33,843 32.0 2,211 IBD 27.2
11,261 774 CD 45
22,582 1,437 UC 18
Jung et al. (40) J Crohn's Colitis 2017 39,582 2.0 15,921 IBD
11,578 5,506 CD 60.9 0.87
21048 9785 UC 18.8 0.54
Jussila et al. (41) Scand J Gastroenterol 2013 2,32,526 2.0 20,970 IBD
51,876 4,983 CD
1,80,660 15,987 UC
Khan et al. (42) Gastroenterology 2013 Retrospective cohort 1,99,046 10.0 36,891 UC 0 0
Khan et al. (43) Drugs Aging 2017 Retrospective cohort 1,27,518 2.0 63,759 IBD 19.3 17.0
28,322 CD 24.1 26.5
35,437 UC 15.5 9.45
Kobayashi et al. (44) J Crohn's Colitis 2020 1,89,182 2.5 75,673 IBD 9.3 8.0
Kopylov et al. (45) Inflamm Bowel Dise 2015 Case-control 5.0 19,582 IBD 8.9 0.73
Lakatos et al. (46) J Crohn's Colitis 2012 Prospective cohort 19,293 31.0 1,420 IBD 22.8 0 0
7,093 506 CD 41.3 0 0
12830 914 UC 4.2 0 0
Lemaitre et al. (13) JAMA 2017 12,68,236 6.7 1,89,289 IBD 0.18
6,40,097 95,537 CD 34.0
6,28,138 93,752 UC 19.1
Lewis et al. (57) Gastroenterology 2001 Retrospective Cohort 64,239 9.0 16,996 IBD 9.5
24,221 6,605 CD 6.7 13
40,018 10,391 UC 5.0 6.0
Loftus et al. (11) Am J Gastroenterol 2000 6,662 53.0 454 IBD
3,150 216 CD
3,512 238 UC
Madanchi et al. (47) Digestion 2016 Retrospective cohort 154 7.0 22 IBD
91 13 CD 61.5
63 9 UC 77.7
Mellemkjær et al. (48) Cancer Causes Control 2000 22,875 16.0 2,645 CD
Mizushima et al. (49) Digestion 2010 4,248 20.0 294 CD
Palli et al. (50) Gastroenterology 2000 10,592 19.0 920 IBD
2,716 231 CD
7,877 689 UC
Pasternak et al. (4) Am J Epidemiol 2013 Prospective cohort 3,04,992 11.0 38,772 IBD 4.0 0 0
Ranjan et al. (51) J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022 Retrospective Cohort 7,651 7.0 1,093 IBD
2,135 305 CD
5,516 788 UC
Scharl et al. (52) Am J Gastroenterol 2019 Retrospective cohort 3,119 IBD 15.1 31.2 30
1,777 CD 40.5 33.7 12.3
1,342 UC 10.4 28 53.5
van den Heuvel et al. (53) IJC 2016 Prospective cohort 2,801 IBD 31.7
10,705 9.2 1,157 CD
16,193 9.8 1,644 UC
Van Domsellaar et al. (54) J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2010 Prospective cohort 8,563 911 IBD
Winther et al. (55) Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2004 22,290 35.0 1,160 UC
Yano et al. (56) J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2013 10,552 25.0 770 CD
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Overall death rate was reported by seven studies (6, 11, 27, 29–32). It was not possible to determine the incidence of lymphoma-related mortality in IBD patients due to lack of data.

4.1. Overall incidence of lymphomas in the IBD population

The number of observed lymphomas was 82 for CD and 507 for UC patients. Reported incidence rates for lymphoma in IBD ranged from 0.0/100,000 py (95% CI 0.0–3.7/100,000) to 89/100,000 py (95% CI 36–160/100,000) (Table 2, Figure 7). Reported incidence rates of lymphoma in CD ranged from 0.0/100,000 py (95% CI 0.0–3.7/100,000) to 91/100,000 py (95% CI 18–164/100,000) (Table 2, Figure 8). For UC, the incidence rate ranged from 0.0/100,000 py (95% CI 0.0–3.7/100,000) to 95/100,000 py (95% CI 0–226/100,000). When comparing incidence of lymphoma by sex, 389 patients were males (IR 83,66/100,000), 98 patients were females (IR 21,08/100,000), with a male-to-female ratio of ~4:1. Incidence was greatest in European countries (51%), followed by USA (17%), Asia (14.2%), Canada (8.5%), and South America (2.8%) (Table 2, Figure 9).

Table 2.

Number of lymphomas and incidence rates in the included studies of lymphoma in IBD.

References Country Male-to-female ratio Diagnosis Observed lymphomas (n) Incidence rate Standard error 95% CI lower bound 95% CI upper bound
Abbas et al. (27) Canada N/A UC 282 80.0 4.8 70.7 89.3
Beaugerie et al. (6) France 3/3 IBD 6 26.4 10.8 5.3 47.5
CD 3 27.5 15.9 −3.6 58.6
UC 3 25.4 14.7 −3.3 54.1
Bernstein et al. (28) Canada N/A IBD 16 39.9 9.8 19.9 58.1
CD 9 42.2 11.7 14.6 69.8
UC 7 35.6 15.8 9.2 62.0
Biancone et al. (29) Italy N/A IBD 6 45 18.3 9 81
CD 6 91 37.2 18 164
UC 0 0.0 0.0 3.7
Biancone et al. (30) Italy 9/2 IBD 11 45 13.77 18 72
CD 11 89 27.3 36 143
UC 0 0.0 0.0 3.7
Caini et al. (31) Italy N/A IBD 2 97.2 59.2 0.0 232
CD 0 0.0 0.0 3.7
UC 2 13.0 7.9 0.0 31
Campos et al. (32) Brasil 3/0 CD 2 43 5.86 0.0 23
UC 1 15.8 3.06 0.0 12
Chiorean et al. (33) USA 5/3 IBD 8 26.6 9.4 8.2 45.0
CD 5 26.1 11.7 3.2 49.0
UC 3 27.3 15.8 −3.6 58.2
de Francisco et al. (34) Spain 3/3 IBD 6 89 34.4 17 160
CD 5 12 5.48 1.5 23
UC 1 33 25.5 0 100
Farrell et al. (35) Ireland 3/1 IBD 4 64.0 32.0 1.3 126.7
Fraser et al. (36) New Zealand 4/1 IBD 5 9.0 4.0 1.1 16.9
CD 1 4.87 4.9 −4,7 14.4
UC 4 11.5 5.8 0.2 22.8
Greenstein et al. (37) USA 5/1 IBD 6 13.9 5.7 2.7 25
CD 3 11.1 6.04 0.0 23.7
UC 3 18.6 10.1 0.0 39.6
Herrinton et al. (9) USA 28/5 IBD 33 48.6 8.5 32.0 65.2
Jess et al. (38) Denmark 0 CD 0 0.00 0.0 3.7
Jess et al. (39) Denmark N/A IBD 15 44.3 11.4 21.9 66.7
CD 7 62.2 23.5 16.1 108.3
UC 8 35.4 12.5 10.9 59.9
Jung et al. (40) Korea 0/5 IBD 5 16.3 7.32 2 30.7
CD 3
UC 2
Jussila et al. (41) Finland 41/17 IBD 72 31.0 3.7 23.8 38.2
CD 14 27.0 7.2 12.9 41.1
UC 58 32.1 4.2 23.8 40.4
Khan et al. (42) USA 119/0 UC 119 60.0 5.5 49.2 70.8
Khan et al. (43) USA N/A IBD 65 50 6.3 38 63
Kobayashi et al. (44) Japan N/A IBD 103 54 5.38 43.9 65
Kopylov et al. (45) Canada 0/59 IBD 121 12 1.02 10 14
Lakatos et al. (46) IBD 3 15.5 8.9 −2.0 33.0
CD 1 14.1 14.1 −13.5 41.7
UC 2 15.6 11.0 −6.0 37.2
Lemaitre et al. (13) France 192/144 IBD 336 26.5 1.53 23 29
Lewis et al. (57) UK 7/8 IBD 18 28.0 6.6 15.1 40.9
CD 7 28.9 10.9 7.5 50.3
UC 11 27.5 8.3 11.2 43.8
Loftus et al. (11) USA N/A IBD 1 15.0 15.0 −14.4 44.4
CD 1 32.0 32.0 −30.7 94.7
UC 0 0 0.0 3.7
Madanchi et al. (47) Switzerland N/A IBD 5 32 14.2 4 60
CD 4 43 21.9 0.8 87
UC 1 15.8 11.7 0.0 46
Mellemkjær et al. (48) Denmark N/A CD 4 17.5 8.8 0.4 34.7
Mizushima et al. (49) Japan 0 CD 0 0.0 0.0 3.7
Palli et al. (50) Italy 3/2 IBD 7 66.0 24.9 17.1 114.9
CD 1 36.8 36.8 −35.3 108.8
UC 6 76.2 31.1 15.2 137.2
Pasternak et al. (4) Denmark N/A IBD 46 15.1 2.2 10.7 19.5
Ranjan et al. (51) India 0 IBD 0 0.0 0.0 3.7
CD 0 0.0 3.7
UC 0 0.0 3.7
Scharl et al. (52) Switzerland N/A IBD 103 33.02 3.26 26.6 39.4
van den Heuvel et al. (53) Netherlands N/A IBD 3
Van Domselaar et al. (54) Spain 5/2 IBD 7 81.7 30.9 21.2 142.2
Winther et al. (55) New Zealand N/A UC 2 17.9 12.7 −6.9 42.8
Yano et al. (56) Japan 0 CD 0 0.0 0.0 3.7
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Figure 7.

Figure 7

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Forest plot of IBD incidence. IR, Incidence Rate; SE, Standard Error (4, 6, 9, 11, 23–27, 29–34, 36–45, 48, 50, 51, 57).

Figure 8.

Figure 8

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Forest plot of Crohn's disease incidence. IR, Incidence Rate; SE, Standard Error (6, 11, 24–26, 28–30, 32–34, 37, 42–46, 57).

Figure 9.

Figure 9

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Forest plot of ulcerative colitis incidence. IR, Incidence Rate; SE, Standard Error (6, 24, 27–30, 32–34, 37, 42, 44, 45, 51, 57).

4.2. Influence of medical therapy on lymphoma occurrence

Seven studies reported the occurrence of lymphoma in patients undergoing medical therapy. Therapy with immunomodulators was directly associated with an increased incidence of lymphoma (p < 0.0001) (Figure 10).

Figure 10.

Figure 10

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Forest plot of lymphoma incidence in patients exposed to immunomodulatory therapy (31, 34, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49).

4.3. Heterogeneity and risk of bias assessment

Substantial heterogeneity between studies prevented the pooling of estimates (heterogeneity test, p < 0.001; I2 = 97.19%). Thus, the included studies are presented as unpooled estimates.

Evidence of publication bias was overall low (p = 0.1941) (Figures 11–13). The P-values for Egger's and Begg's test for lymphoma incidence in all the IBD population was p = 0.0046 and p = 0.004603, respectively. Furthermore, P-value for Egger's and Begg's test in the UC subpopulation was p = 0.2292 and p = 0.0222, respectively, and p = 0.5326 and p = 0.0681 in the CD subpopulation.

Figure 11.

Figure 11

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Funnel plot for inflammatory bowel disease.

Figure 13.

Figure 13

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Funnel plot for ulcerative colitis.

Figure 12.

Figure 12

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Funnel plot for Crohn's disease.

5. Discussion

This meta-analysis was performed to produce an updated and reliable incidence rate for lymphomas in IBD patients and in CD and UC separately. Our aim was to quantify lymphoproliferative disorder incidence associated with underlying IBD. To date, the estimated worldwide Non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma incidence is 19.0/100.000 and 2.6/100.000, respectively.1

In our study, the incidence was as high as 95/100.000 py for UC. Although the estimated relative risk of lymphoma in IBD may differ between studies, it has been demonstrated that there is an increased risk of lymphoma compared with the general population (5, 58–60).

This study showed a correlation between the exposure to immunomodulators and subsequent lymphoma diagnosis. Several studies demonstrated an increased risk of lymphoma in patients exposed to thiopurines (4–6, 61). The CESAME cohort included 19.486 French patients. A hazard ratio of lymphoproliferative disorders of 5.28 (95% CI, 2.01–13.9) was demonstrated in patients with a history of thiopurine treatment (6). Furthermore, in a British general practice research database including 15,471 patients, exposure to azathioprine was associated with an odds ratio of 3.22 (95% CI, 1.01–10.18) for lymphoma (62). In Western countries, an estimated 4-fold greater risk of lymphoma has been observed in patients treated with thiopurines (5, 13). However, in our study, the power of these tests was limited by incomplete reporting of variables and the small number of included studies.

The risk of lymphoma associated with anti-TNF agents remains unclear. However, being TNF, a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and modulation of the immune system, the inhibition of TNF would be expected to favor neoplastic processes (63). Two experimental investigations back up the idea that anti-TNF, either alone or in combination with thiopurines, contributes to the development of lymphomas (64, 65). One study found that anti-TNF inhibits Natural Killer cell activity and has a detrimental effect on in vitro anti-lymphoma activity (64). A second, subsequent study demonstrated, in an in vitro lymphoma model, how Epstein-Barr virus-driven lymphomatoid transformation was amplified by both anti-TNF and 6-mercaptopurine (65).

Only two studies demonstrated an increased risk of lymphoma in IBD patients (9, 13). However, in a meta-analysis of randomized trials, monotherapy with anti-TNF agents was not associated with an increased risk of lymphoma (14). According to the prospective, 5-year, observational ENCORE registry, no excess risk of lymphoma was observed in patients diagnosed with IBD treated with anti-TNF agents alone (66). In contrast, combination treatment with thiopurines was reported to exacerbate the risk of lymphoma (67). In the present study, it was not possible to draw conclusions due to lack of information on the occurrence of lymphoma in patients treated with anti-TNF agents.

IBD alone does not seem to represent a risk factor for lymphoma development, according to the analyzed data when seen as a whole. Nevertheless, it is yet unknown whether IBD patients who have more severe and protracted disease activity are at higher risk than those who have less severe disease. Most of the body of evidence available in the literature has demonstrated that IBD patients receiving immunosuppressants such as azathioprine and mercaptopurines are at higher risk of developing lymphoma than the general population, even though this is not conclusive. Although some of these studies have taken into account potential confounders like age and sex, other potentially important factors including disease activity, duration, and co-administration of other immunosuppressive drugs have not always been included (4, 6, 9, 13, 28, 34–36, 39, 40, 42–46, 52, 57).

Limited studies have evaluated the incidence of lymphoma in IBD patients treated with azathioprine or mercaptopurines to those who were not, leading to dubious risk comparisons (14, 66, 67). Anti-TNF and thiopurine medication appears to cause a small but discernible increase in the chance of lymphoma in IBD patients, albeit this risk cannot be precisely measured (67).

Notwithstanding the fact that the largest population-based investigation to date revealed lymphoma incidence rates higher than those previously reported in several clinical trials (46), single-center experiences, and registries, the findings need to be interpreted with caution. In order to fully comprehend the complex and likely synergistic relationships between the severity and duration of IBD disease, concurrent use of immunosuppressive medications, and biologic agents, as well as how these factors relate to the development of lymphoma, well-designed Level 1 evidence needs yet to be produced.

The dysbiosis of the gut microbiota together with an imbalance of cytokines and the destruction of the mucosal barrier play a crucial role in IBD development (68). Some species of host bacteria are directly involved in the promotion of oxidative stress leading to DNA damage and subsequent cancer (69–71). The “Microbiota-gut-lymphoma axis” represents an interesting avenue of microbiota-mediated lymphomagenesis (72). The most frequent site of primary extranodal lymphoma is represented by the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal dysbiosis has been largely documented in patients with lymphoma (73). Indeed, it has been demonstrated that H. pylori is responsible for more than 90% of cases of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma (74) and that the same pattern of lesion is present in mice with chronic Helicobacter infection, in particular Helicobacter Felis (75, 76). Furthermore, bacteria such as Campylobacter jejuni, Chlamidia psitacci and Borrelia bergorferi have been involved in lymphoma development in humans (77).

Despite the findings emerging from this study, thiopurines and anti-TNF medications should be used when clinically necessary, either alone or in combination, notwithstanding the minimal absolute risk of lymphoma. While it seems higher in patients who receive combination therapy as opposed to those who have only received monotherapy, the absolute risk is still relatively small when compared to the possible complications IBD patients can develop during disease activity. Such findings might contribute to informing patients for a shared decision-making. The benefits of combination therapy prevail over the risks of malignancy in patients with severe IBD. The risk/benefit ratio could be less advantageous in individuals with mild to moderate IBD, and for these patients, monotherapy with either medication may be the best course of action.

In the clinical case presented in this study, we confirm how previous exposure to a combination of immunosuppressants and biologic agents can contribute to the subsequent development of lymphoma. The diagnosis of lymphoma, however, appeared to be difficult and delayed due to the overlapping symptoms between UC itself and lymphoma. In particular, persistent low-grade fever together with the presence of considerable abdominal lymphadenopathy found on CT-scan in a patient affected by UC and previous or current exposure to immunosuppressant and/or biologic therapy should raise suspicion of lymphoma which requires prompt histological confirmation.

The strength of the present study is the exhaustiveness of the literature search and evaluation of data for inclusion. Despite the completeness of the search, some limitations must be acknowledged. A small number of studies was included in the present review due to limited published data. In addition, substantial heterogeneity prevented pooling of estimates in some cases. Nevertheless, publication bias evaluated by both Begg's and Egger's tests was low indicating an appropriate precision of the effect estimate. Although these limitations may lead to bias in our incidence estimates, our estimates are based on the best available evidence.

In conclusion, although the risk of developing lymphomas in subjects affected by IBD is mainly linked to immunosuppressive therapy, all IBD patients should be evaluated for this possible malignant condition. When lymphoma is diagnosed, it is advised to take into account the need for modifications to IBD treatment and to take a multidisciplinary approach to both conditions. In fact, a combined multidisciplinary management and a long-term follow-up are warranted in order to decrease mortality deriving from the coexistence of both conditions.

Data availability statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Author contributions

MR, LC-G, and GC contributed to the conception and design of the study. MR, AD, and AI organized the database. MR performed the statistical analysis. MR and LC-G wrote the first draft of the manuscript. LC-G and GC contributed to interpretation of results. All authors contributed to manuscript revision, read, and approved the submitted version.

Footnotes

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

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