Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a very common sleep disorder that causes the upper airway to collapse repeatedly during sleep. This causes intermittent hypoxia, sleep fragmentation, and systemic inflammation. In the last ten years, more and more evidence has pointed to possible links between OSA and the development, progression, and outcomes of cancer. This review rigorously evaluates the existing knowledge concerning the association between OSA and cancer, investigating biological mechanisms, epidemiological data, and clinical ramifications. The pathophysiological mechanisms that may connect obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) to carcinogenesis encompass intermittent hypoxia-induced modifications in the tumour microenvironment, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and metabolic dysfunction. Epidemiological studies have produced varied results; however, several extensive cohort studies have established correlations between the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and elevated cancer incidence, aggressiveness, and mortality, especially for specific cancer types. This review also talks about what these findings mean for clinical practice, including how treating OSA might affect cancer outcomes and what future research should focus on. Comprehending the intricate relationship between OSA and cancer may enhance screening methodologies, therapeutic approaches, and clinical outcomes in impacted patients.