Elevated risk of ischemic stroke after invasive cancer diagnosis: A nationwide population‐based study
Why the study?
Does a recent diagnosis of invasive cancer increase the risk of ischemic stroke in adults ≥40 years old?
Population
182,221 residents ≥40 years old diagnosed with first invasive cancer during 2014-2021 in Israel
Comparison
Diagnosis of first invasive cancer (exposure) vs General population
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
1 year
Key result
Invasive cancer diagnosis was associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke within 1 year (SIR 1.8; 95% CI 1.7-1.9), with the highest risk observed during the first 3 months.
Authors
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Captured external expert commentary on this paper, strongest first. Original sources linked on every quote.
“Our findings reinforce the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care. Cancer treatment is, of course, central after diagnosis, but vascular health should not be overlooked. Identifying and appropriately managing modifiable vascular risk factors — while taking the patient's cancer type, stage, age, treatments and overall clinical situation into account — may be particularly important during this period.”
“Our findings identify the first months after a cancer diagnosis as a critical window of heightened ischemic stroke risk. The marked variation across cancer types, with particularly pronounced risk elevations in pancreatic and lung cancers, highlights the importance of identifying patients who may benefit from closer cerebrovascular risk assessment.”
“Our study shows that the risk of a first ischemic stroke is elevated after a cancer diagnosis, but that increase is not uniform across cancer types. The findings support greater attention to vascular risk during the early post-diagnosis period and in higher-risk cancer groups.”
Invasive cancer diagnosis is associated with an elevated risk of ischemic stroke within the first year, particularly in the first 3 months and for pancreatic and lung cancers.
Cohort (n=182,221)
Yes
Does a recent diagnosis of invasive cancer increase the risk of ischemic stroke in adults ≥40 years old?
Invasive cancer diagnosis is associated with an elevated risk of ischemic stroke within the first year, particularly in the first 3 months and for pancreatic and lung cancers.
Effect estimate: SIR 1.8 (95% CI 1.7-1.9)
Libruder et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Invasive cancer (n=182,221). Invasive cancer diagnosis vs. General population (expected incidence) was evaluated on First-ever ischemic stroke within 1 year (SIR 1.8, 95% CI 1.7-1.9). Invasive cancer diagnosis was associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke within 1 year (SIR 1.8; 95% CI 1.7-1.9), with the highest risk observed during the first 3 months.