Abstract

While the relationship between chronodisruption, especially shift work, has already been proven, the association between obstructive sleep apnea and carcinoma is still a matter of debate. This derives from the fact that most studies concerning this subject have been conducted retrospectively and did not have the primary endpoint „incidence of carcinoma in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome“. Additionally the studies have produced contrasting results. However, most of the investigations are speaking for this association. Hypoxemia seems to be the major influencer for carcinogenesis in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Both in experimental investigations in cell stems and in animals, hypoxemia has been proven to support growth and distribution of tumor cells. Interestingly, it is not chronic hypoxemia but much more intermittent hypoxemia combined with phases of normoxemia that has the strongest influence on tumor growth. Possibly sleep fragmentation which is also present in sleep apnea can also have a pro-carcinogenic effect. Studies dealing with this hypothesis have not yet been conducted. To answer the question about a relationship between OSAS and carcinogenesis there is need for prospective studies in large patient cohorts thereby eliminating all possible confounders having a pro-carcinogenic effect by themselves.

Author Details

Authors

• M. Orth¹
• K. Rasche²

Departments

• ¹ Medizinische Klinik III, Pneumologie, Pneumologische Onkologie, Allergologie, Schlaf- und Beatmungsmedizin, Theresienkrankenhaus und St. Hedwig Klinik GmbH, Mannheim,
• ² Bergisches Lungenzentrum, Klinik für Pneumologie, Allergologie, Schlaf- und Beatmungsmedizin, Universität Witten/Herdecke HELIOS Universitätsklinikum Wuppertal

Address

Prof. Dr. med. M. Orth
Medizinische Klinik III
Theresienkrankenhaus und St. Hedwig-Klinik GmbH
Bassermannstraße 1
68165 Mannheim
Email: [email protected]

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