Serum Total 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels in Patients With Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma: A Case-Control Study in a Low-Risk Southern European Population

Angeliki Befon; Alexander C. Katoulis; Sofia Georgala; Andreas  Katsampas; Vasiliki  Chardalia; Aggeliki Melpidou; Vasiliki Tzanetakou; Vasiliki Chasapi; Dorothea Polydorou; Clio Desinioti; Micaela Plaka; Dimitris Rigopoulos; Alexandros J. Stratigos

doi:10.5826/dpc.1001a10

Serum Total 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels in Patients With Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma: A Case-Control Study in a Low-Risk Southern European Population

Authors

Angeliki Befon First Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Andreas Syggros Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, Athens, Greece
Alexander C. Katoulis Second Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Attikon General University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Sofia Georgala First Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Andreas Syggros Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, Athens, Greece
Andreas Katsampas First Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Andreas Syggros Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, Athens, Greece
Vasiliki Chardalia First Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Andreas Syggros Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, Athens, Greece
Aggeliki Melpidou Biochemistry Laboratory, Evangelismos General Hospital of Athens, Greece
Vasiliki Tzanetakou First Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Andreas Syggros Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, Athens, Greece
Vasiliki Chasapi First Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Andreas Syggros Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, Athens, Greece
Dorothea Polydorou First Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Andreas Syggros Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, Athens, Greece
Clio Desinioti First Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Andreas Syggros Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, Athens, Greece
Micaela Plaka First Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Andreas Syggros Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, Athens, Greece
Dimitris Rigopoulos First Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Andreas Syggros Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, Athens, Greece
Alexandros J. Stratigos First Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Andreas Syggros Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, Athens, Greece

Keywords:

malignant melanoma, vitamin D, Breslow thickness, ulceration, risk factors, prognosis

Abstract

Background: Recent data have shown an inverse association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and incidence of several cancers, including cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). In addition, lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels have been associated with thicker or higher stage melanomas and worse survival in observational studies.

Materials and Methods: Ninety-nine patients diagnosed with primary CMM and 97 matched healthy controls entered the study. Demographic characteristics, risk factors for CMM, and clinical and histological characteristics were recorded for patients with primary CMM. Total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of melanoma patients measured by fully automated chemiluminescent vitamin D total immunoassay (Elecsys vitamin D total, Roche) at the time of diagnosis were compared with those of healthy controls. In addition, we tested the association of serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels at melanoma diagnosis with known risk and prognostic factors for CMM.

Results: Of the melanoma patients, 49 (49.49%) had deficient serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (<20 ng/mL), 23 (23.23%) had insufficient levels (21-29 ng/mL), and 27 (27.27%) had adequate levels (>30 ng/mL). The median serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly lower in melanoma patients (20.62 ng/mL) compared with healthy controls (24.71 ng/mL), but statistical significance was not reached (chi-square test, P = 0.051) No statistically significant association was found between serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and demographic characteristics; risk factors for CMM; prognostic factors, such as Breslow thickness and ulceration; as well as clinical characteristics, such as melanoma stage, clinical type, and location.

Conclusions: Lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were found in our Greek cohort of melanoma patients compared with healthy controls, without reaching, however, statistical significance; these levels were not statistically associated with established risk and prognostic factors for CMM.