BackgroundAlthough accumulating data have suggested the development of cancer in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, these results remain inconsistent. To examine such a putative association, this analysis reports the association between SLE and the risks of 24 cancer types.MethodsOnline databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched comprehensively for eligible studies, published up to 15 May 2018. Pooled standardized incidence rates (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were utilized to reveal their associations.ResultsA total of 24 eligible studies were ultimately enrolled. Our results indicated that SLE was associated with increased risk of overall cancers, cancer risk in both genders, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, cervix, vagina/vulva, renal, bladder, esophagus, gastric, hepatobiliary, lung, oropharynx, larynx, non-melanoma skin, and thyroid cancers. Additionally, SLE could reduce the risk of prostate cancer and cutaneous melanoma; however, it was not significantly associated with breast, uterus, ovarian, pancreatic, colorectal, or brain cancers.ConclusionsOur results shed light SLE being correlated with increased risk for 16 involved cancers and decreased risk for prostate cancer and cutaneous melanoma. This comprehensive meta-analysis provides epidemiological evidence supporting the associations between SLE and cancer risk. This evidence could be utilized to drive public policies and to help guide personalized medicine to better manage SLE and reduce associated cancer morbidity and mortality.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13075-018-1760-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundDelayed first medical consultation (patient’s delay) is quite common in cases of penile carcinoma (PC), but its reasons and impacts remain unclear. We conducted this study to ascertain risk factors resulting in delayed treatment seeking and evaluate its influence on prognosis.MethodsFrom 2004 to 2010 at 4 centers, 254 patients were enrolled into this study from 262 consecutive PC cases. Patients’ sexual performance was investigated using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-15 at the sixth-month end after treatment. Data for prognostic analyses was obtained via a 5-year follow-up.ResultsA multivariate model ascertained 4 risk factors (single, living in rural areas, heavy drinking alcohol, and aspecific initial symptoms) and 1 protective factor (history of condyloma) significantly associated with patient’s delay. Delay >3 months led to significant risks for adverse clinical characteristics, low penis-sparing rate, and poor sexual function restoration. Although patient’s delay was not found to impact on postoperative relapses and 5-year overall survival (OS), patients with delay >6 months had significantly inferior 2-year OS.ConclusionsSingle, living in rural areas, heavy drinking alcohol, and aspecific initial symptoms are significant risk factors of PC associated with patient’s delay. Delay >3 months will lead to significantly inferior clinical consequences. Minimizing patient’s delay is the key to avoid amputation and retain superior sexual potency. Improving patient education on initial symptoms of PC is necessary in men of >40 years old.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12957-016-0863-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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