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

Background. We investigated the relationship between infections with Neisse ria gonorrhoeae and anogenital and other cancers. Methods. Nationwide and population based register linkage study utilizing p rospectively notified information. The observed numbers of cancers among th e women were compared with those expected on the basis of national incidenc e 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 II I), with 103 expected (standardized incidence ratio (SIR), 2,2; 95% confide nce interval (CI), 1.9-2.5). No significantly increased risk for other anog enital cancers or cancer at other sites was seen. Conclusions. These results support the view that the observed association b etween gonorrheal infection and subsequent cervical preneoplasia is due mai nly to surveillance bias. However, our results also indicate that women hos pitalized with a N. gonorrhoeae infection will benefit from the compliance with the regular Pap smear screening programs.