Higher risk of liver cancer seen in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy found that women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) are at increased risk of hepatobiliary cancer and immune-mediated and cardiovascular diseases later in life.

Using the Swedish Medical Birth Register and the Swedish Patient Register, the investigators identified 11,388 women with ICP and 113,893 women without ICP who gave birth between 1973 and 2009.

Study findings showed risk for cancer in the biliary tree and risk for liver cancer were 2.5 times higher and 3.5 times higher, respectively, compared with matched controls. In addition, patients with ICP were found to be at higher risk for thyroid disease, diabetes, psoriasis, and Crohn’s disease. Women with both ICP and preeclampsia during pregnancy had a slightly higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

The investigators recommend follow-up of serum liver tests 6 to 12 weeks after delivery for all women with ICP, and further evaluation by a hepatologist if serum liver tests results are elevated.