Marijuana Use Not Linked to Increased Risk of Cancer Metastasis
According to a new article published in the latest issue of the medical journal Cureus, marijuana use is not associated with an increased risk of cancer metastasis. The study confirms these findings through an analysis of practical experience using the plant in cancer therapy, specifically for brain and laryngeal cancers.
Study Overview
The research was conducted by scientists from three national universities in Canada, who carried out long-term observations of marijuana users utilizing the plant to manage and treat cancer symptoms. The experiment involved 513 residents of Ontario officially diagnosed with early-stage brain or laryngeal cancer. Of these, 59 individuals actively used marijuana or cannabis oil extracts. Initially, medical professionals monitored these patients from 2011 to 2015. Later, in November 2018, the researchers conducted a follow-up survey and examination to confirm any long-term therapeutic effects of marijuana on cancer.
Key Findings
The results showed that, overall, patients in the test group who used marijuana were much less likely to experience cancer metastasis or the development of new tumors. Specifically, out of the 59 people in the test group, only 2 volunteers (3.4%) experienced tumor recurrence or new growths. In contrast, among the 454 people in the control group, 23 patients (about 5.1%) had a recurrence of the disease, even with active chemotherapy treatment.
“Clearly, marijuana does not contribute to the formation of new cancerous tumors or increase the risk of metastasis. On the contrary, it appears that the active compounds in marijuana make cancer cells more vulnerable to available therapies and help prevent recurrence,” the study concludes.
Background on Cancer Metastasis
Cancer metastasis, also known as secondary cancer, occurs when the disease spreads as a result of treatment for the primary tumor. Typically, during treatment, cancer can move to other types of body tissue (for example, breast cancer spreading to the stomach or intestines), leading to new tumors in affected areas. Globally, such forms of cancer account for up to 20% of all cancer diagnoses.
Secondary cancers are often inoperable and respond poorly to most available official therapies. For example, if lung cancer metastasizes to another part of the body, the patient’s five-year survival rate drops from 56% to just 5%.
Study Limitations and Additional Insights
The authors emphasize that their conclusions are based solely on the treatment of head and neck cancers. This type of cancer was specifically chosen to compare the potential risks of marijuana use with those of tobacco products. The researchers aimed to assess the threat posed by carcinogenic toxins released during marijuana smoking versus those from cigarette smoking.
“Combustion products from tobacco, especially in commercial cigarettes, are a leading global factor in the development of carcinomas in the head and neck. Tobacco smoking, in particular, poses a significant risk for tumors in the respiratory tract and lungs,” the authors note. “Although smoking marijuana plant material does introduce some similar toxic substances into the lungs and digestive tract, their concentration is not comparable to the levels of carcinogens from tobacco use. Moreover, based on our observations, cannabinoids may reduce the impact of these substances on body tissues, further lowering the risk of metastasis.”
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