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People with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) know how painful it is. HS, also called acne inversa, causes tender bumps and sores under the skin that can last for weeks or even months. Living with a chronic (ongoing) skin disease like HS can raise questions about why it happens and what it may mean for your future. HS is linked to other health issues. That can feel scary and may leave you wondering if HS is connected to leukemia. Here’s what researchers know so far and what it means for people living with HS.
Certain medical conditions, like obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease, are known risk factors for developing HS. Research has also linked HS to certain types of cancers. Some of these connections, like HS raising the risk of skin cancer, are well established. It’s not yet clear whether HS is related to leukemia.
Here is what research shows about HS and leukemia. Scientists are still sorting through the evidence, so some answers are clearer than others. The key points below explain what we know so far, what is still uncertain, and when it makes sense to talk with your doctor.
HS can sometimes look like other conditions, so you may wonder if it’s possible to mistake HS for leukemia. Since there isn’t one clear test that confirms HS, mix-ups can happen. However, it’s more common for HS symptoms to be mistaken for other skin conditions.
Here’s what doctors know about HS and leukemia.
HS and leukemia are very much separate conditions. HS is an inflammatory condition that affects the skin, whereas leukemia is a kind of blood cancer. They also have different causes.
HS is a chronic skin condition that causes painful lumps under the skin. These HS lumps often show up in the body’s natural skin folds, where coarse hair grows, such as the armpits and groin. They can take a while to heal and may come back later. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the exact cause of HS is unclear. But doctors do know that HS starts in hair follicles, the parts of the skin where hair grows. HS lumps develop when these follicles become blocked. If these blockages trap bacteria, they can lead to painful inflammation.
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the tissues responsible for creating blood cells. There are several types of leukemia, but all of them affect the bone marrow — the spongy center of bones where blood cells are made. Lymphocytic leukemias also affect tissues of the lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system.
As with HS, doctors don’t know for sure what causes leukemia. However, doctors think the cancer comes from certain inherited or acquired gene mutations (changes), along with environmental factors. Leukemia may develop when these mutations disrupt the blood cell-making process, leading to abnormal blood cells that multiply too fast. In the bone marrow, these irregular blood cells eventually outnumber healthy ones. Symptoms develop because the body has too few healthy blood cells.
HS and leukemia have many symptoms that distinguish them from one another. While HS is defined by painful lumps, leukemia can lead to many different symptoms.
With HS, you may have a persistent, painful lump below the skin that lasts weeks or months. You might get just one lump, or several can form at the same time. Over time, these bumps can turn into sores that may drain fluid with an unpleasant odor. Under the skin, tunnels can form between lumps, and these areas often take a long time to heal.
Leukemia can cause many symptoms, such as:
However, it’s possible for healthcare providers to mistake HS for leukemia. In some cases, HS lumps may be misdiagnosed because they appear in areas that leukemia can also affect. Parts of the body, like the armpits and genitals, which HS often affects, also contain lymph nodes. That means these areas can become swollen in people with HS and in those with leukemia.
While some types of leukemia are more common in adults, others are more common in children. Acute myeloid leukemia can develop in people at any age. Certain types of leukemia, like acute lymphocytic leukemia, are found more often in white and Hispanic people.
On the other hand, HS tends to affect a different subset of people. Mayo Clinic reports that HS is about three times more common in women than in men. In particular, women aged 30 to 39 seem to be affected the most. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that Black people have a higher risk of developing HS than other populations.
Living with HS means you have a higher risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma and other skin cancers than people without HS. However, research has also linked HS to higher risks of other types of cancer. A review from 2024 found that people with HS had an increased risk of cancer by up to 50 percent. Another recent study reported that HS increased overall cancer risk by 40 percent. The study authors noted that having HS appeared to raise the risks of cancer in the respiratory system, digestive system, urinary tract, lymphatic tissue, mouth, nose, and throat. A study in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology found that HS is associated with higher rates of Hodgkin lymphoma, oral cancer, and central nervous system cancer.
Although connections between HS and other cancers have been found, there isn’t much evidence available on the link between HS and leukemia. One study suggested that people with HS might have an increased risk of leukemia. Meanwhile, there are a few reports of people with leukemia developing HS. At this time, there’s no evidence that HS and leukemia are directly related.
Research suggests a process called Notch signaling may play a role in HS development. Within the body, Notch signaling helps regulate immune cells, skin cells, hair follicles, and oil glands. Disruptions to Notch signaling can interfere with these processes, causing lumps to form and burst, which inflame the skin. Chronic inflammation and problems with Notch signaling can make the immune system overreact and cause ongoing inflammation.
Notch signaling also plays a role in skin cell regulation. In particular, it helps prevent skin cells from becoming cancerous. When this process is disrupted, it raises the risk of skin cancer.
Some treatments for chronic inflammation may increase cancer risk. For example, certain biologics that suppress the immune system, called tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, may raise your risk of skin cancer. However, studies haven’t shown a direct connection between HS treatments and leukemia.
Both HS and leukemia are ongoing conditions. Regular checkups with your primary care provider can help you keep your treatment on track. If you’re living with HS, let your doctor know about any new symptoms you experience, such as fatigue or easy bruising.
HS and leukemia are different conditions, and research has not shown a direct link between them. Still, HS is tied to higher risks of some cancers, and HS lumps can sometimes look like other health problems. Your doctor can help you understand what new or changing lumps may mean and whether you need any follow-up testing. They can also explain the next steps and make sure you get the right care.
On myHSteam, people share their experiences with hidradenitis suppurativa, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Do you or a loved one with HS also have leukemia? Let others know in the comments below.
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