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Melanoma: higher vitamin D levels may indicate better prognosis
Takeaway
- Higher levels of vitamin D are associated with better prognosis in melanoma.
Why this matters
- The study found an association with prognostic indicators, but a causative relationship cannot be confirmed.
Study design
- Retrospective pilot study evaluating the association between the clinicopathological features of melanoma and corresponding serum vitamin D level in the patient; cohort was comprised of 109 melanomas diagnosed at a single center.
- Funding: None disclosed.
Key results
- Vitamin deficiency was identified in 32% of patients (vitamin D level <50 nmol/L).
- Breslow thickness was associated with vitamin D level; higher mean serum vitamin D levels were noted in the thin tumors (mean, 67.0 nmol/L) compared with thick tumors (mean, 57.6 nmol/L; P=.045).
- After controlling for age and sex, higher serum vitamin D was significantly associated with lower Breslow thickness (r2, 0.055; test for linear trend P=.026).
- Mean serum vitamin D levels were higher in nonulcerated lesions (mean, 64.6 nmol/L) vs ulcerated ones (mean, 47.27 nmol/L; P=.006).
- Vitamin D levels were highest in melanoma desmoplastic melanoma subtypes (mean, 79.3 nmol/L) and superficial spreading melanoma (67.4 nmol/L; P=.019).
Limitations
- Vitamin D levels not compared with those of healthy control patients.
