Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have a higher risk of developing some types of cancer, such as lymphoma or lung cancer. The severity of the disease is associated with a higher risk of developing lymphoma. Anti-TNF-α agents do not increase the incidence of neoplasm, but could trigger the onset of lymphoma in a subgroup of RA patients. Anti-TNF-α agents have been associated with a higher frequency of non-melanoma skin cancer. Although methotrexate does not increase the overall incidence of lymphoma or solid neoplasm, its use is sporadically associated with the development of lymphoma. These methotrexate-induced lymphomas occasionally disappear after withdrawal of the drug.
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