Scientists Alarmingly Find That COVID-19 Increases Risk of Stomach and Intestinal Cancers!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Oct 19, 2025 7 hours, 46 minutes ago
Medical News: Researchers from the Department of Endocrinology at the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China, have uncovered a concerning two-way relationship between COVID-19 and cancers of the digestive system. Their study reveals that infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus can increase the likelihood of developing certain gastrointestinal cancers, while some existing digestive cancers can also heighten susceptibility to severe COVID-19 infections.
Scientists Alarmingly Find That COVID-19 Increases Risk of Stomach and Intestinal Cancers
This
Medical News report details that the team, led by Yi Liang, Wei Xiao, Bo Deng, and Qiu Chen, used a powerful genetic analysis method known as Mendelian randomization. This approach examines inherited genetic variations to determine causal links between diseases. By analyzing data from over 1.6 million people from international genetic databases, the researchers were able to assess whether COVID-19 could directly contribute to cancer risk, and whether specific inflammatory molecules known as cytokines played a mediating role.
COVID-19 Found to Promote Stomach and Intestinal Tumors
The findings were striking. The study showed that people with COVID-19 had a higher risk of developing malignant stomach cancer and benign tumors in the small intestine. Conversely, those with colorectal and biliary tract cancers were found to be more prone to contracting COVID-19, including its severe forms that require hospitalization.
This suggests a biological feedback loop where COVID-19 and digestive system cancers (DSCs) may worsen each other. The researchers noted that 32 inflammatory cytokines were associated with 12 different types of digestive cancers, and 13 cytokines were linked to all forms of COVID-19 outcomes. These cytokines are chemical messengers that regulate immune responses but, when chronically elevated, can cause inflammation and promote tumor growth.
Inflammation as the Connecting Link
Further analysis found that specific cytokines such as IL-6, VEGF, and IL1ra played partial roles in connecting COVID-19 to stomach cancer risk. However, the mediation effects were relatively small, indicating that while inflammation is an important factor, it is not the only mechanism involved. Interestingly, the study also discovered that the downregulation of VEGF—a molecule involved in blood vessel formation—caused by COVID-19 might slightly reduce susceptibility to stomach cancer, though the overall cancer-promoting effects of the infection were stronger.
The research supports earlier findings that persistent inflammation, triggered by viruses like SARS-CoV-2, can create a biological environment conducive to cancer. It also highlights that cytokine levels such as IL-6 and TNF-α, which rise during COVID-19 infections, are often elevated in patients with gastrointestinal cancers.
What the Findings Mean for Public Health
Experts warn that these results underline the long-term r
isks of COVID-19 beyond respiratory illness. Since digestive system cancers often go undetected in their early stages, individuals who have had COVID-19—especially severe or repeated infections—should consider regular gastrointestinal screenings. The researchers emphasized that people with existing colorectal or biliary tract cancers should also take extra precautions to avoid COVID-19 exposure, as the virus could worsen their condition.
In conclusion, the study shows that COVID-19 infection increases the susceptibility to certain digestive cancers, particularly stomach and small intestine tumors, while colorectal and biliary tract cancers can make individuals more vulnerable to the virus. This complex two-way interaction underscores the importance of continued surveillance and medical monitoring even after recovery from COVID-19. As the authors note, further long-term studies are needed to explore how viral infections and inflammation contribute to cancer development and progression over time.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Discover Oncology.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12672-025-03740-4
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