In a nutshell
This study investigated if low levels of vitamin D are associated with worse melanoma prognosis. Researchers suggested that low levels of vitamin D are associated with worse outcomes in metastatic (spread to other parts of the body) melanoma.
Some background
Recent studies have suggested that a low vitamin D level (less than 20 ng/mL) is associated with pancreatic and colorectal cancer as well as melanoma. Lower levels of vitamin D have been associated with an increased risk of melanoma and worse overall survival (time from treatment until death from any cause). However, this association is not well understood.
Methods & findings
The objective of this study was to investigate if the initial concentration and the change in levels of vitamin D were associated with melanoma prognosis. 252 melanoma patients with at least one vitamin D measurement within one year after diagnosis were enrolled in this study.
Patients with lower levels of vitamin D, higher cancer stage and ulceration were 93% more at risk of a worse melanoma prognosis. Patients with metastatic melanoma with low levels of vitamin D had 2.06 times the risk of melanoma-related mortality. Patients who had initially a low level of vitamin D and had a decrease or an increase of 20 ng/mL or more were at 4.68 more at risk of worse outcomes.
The bottom line
This study suggested that initial low levels of vitamin D were associated with a worse prognosis in patients with metastatic melanoma.
Published By :
Oncotarget
Date :
Jan 19, 2017
