June 8, 2011 — People with Parkinson's disease may have double the risk for melanoma, report researchers.
"Although both Parkinson's disease and melanoma are relatively rare, it is probably prudent for neurologists to know that Parkinson patients are more likely to have melanoma," senior investigator Honglei Chen, MD, from National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, told Medscape Medical News.
Evidence is mounting that although patients with Parkinson's disease are less likely to have several other types of cancer, including smoking-related disease, they are more likely to have skin cancer and melanoma in particular.
Still, the results to date have been inconclusive because of the small number of patients with Parkinson's disease and even smaller number with melanoma too. In a new meta-analysis, published in the June 7 issue of Neurology, investigators worked to identify whether the association really exists.
They looked at 12 studies spanning 45 years. Most of the studies had fewer than 10 cases with both conditions.
Despite the small numbers, the researchers found that men with Parkinson's were twice as likely to have melanoma. Women were 1½ times as likely to be diagnosed.
Table. Melanoma Risk in Patients With Parkinson's
Investigators observed no clear link between Parkinson's and nonmelanoma skin cancer (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.94 – 1.30).
"Our understanding of the association between Parkinson's disease and melanoma is still preliminary," Dr. Chen explained, "it is possible these 2 conditions may have common risk factors; these could be genetics, environmental, or both. A better understanding of this link may help us understand the etiology of both diseases."
Asked by Medscape Medical News to comment on the study, Anna DePold Hohler, MD, from Boston University in Massachusetts, pointed out she has been following the association studies of Parkinson's and melanoma for several years.
"This meta-analysis helps consolidate the information from these studies to solidify the understanding about the link between these 2 diseases. One plausible theory is the link between the embryonic development of melanocytes — melanin-producing cells — and neurons," she said.
"This study helps to call attention to the risk that Parkinson's patients may also have for developing melanoma," Dr. DePold Hohler added. "It reminds me to caution my Parkinson's patients to have regular checkups with their dermatologist."
This study was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The researchers have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Neurology. 2011;76:2002-2009.
"Although both Parkinson's disease and melanoma are relatively rare, it is probably prudent for neurologists to know that Parkinson patients are more likely to have melanoma," senior investigator Honglei Chen, MD, from National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, told Medscape Medical News.
Evidence is mounting that although patients with Parkinson's disease are less likely to have several other types of cancer, including smoking-related disease, they are more likely to have skin cancer and melanoma in particular.
Still, the results to date have been inconclusive because of the small number of patients with Parkinson's disease and even smaller number with melanoma too. In a new meta-analysis, published in the June 7 issue of Neurology, investigators worked to identify whether the association really exists.
They looked at 12 studies spanning 45 years. Most of the studies had fewer than 10 cases with both conditions.
Despite the small numbers, the researchers found that men with Parkinson's were twice as likely to have melanoma. Women were 1½ times as likely to be diagnosed.
Table. Melanoma Risk in Patients With Parkinson's
| Patients | Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) |
| Pooled | 2.11 (1.26 – 3.54) |
| Men | 2.04 (1.55 – 2.69) |
| Women | 1.52 (0.85 – 2.75) |
Investigators observed no clear link between Parkinson's and nonmelanoma skin cancer (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.94 – 1.30).
"Our understanding of the association between Parkinson's disease and melanoma is still preliminary," Dr. Chen explained, "it is possible these 2 conditions may have common risk factors; these could be genetics, environmental, or both. A better understanding of this link may help us understand the etiology of both diseases."
Asked by Medscape Medical News to comment on the study, Anna DePold Hohler, MD, from Boston University in Massachusetts, pointed out she has been following the association studies of Parkinson's and melanoma for several years.
"This meta-analysis helps consolidate the information from these studies to solidify the understanding about the link between these 2 diseases. One plausible theory is the link between the embryonic development of melanocytes — melanin-producing cells — and neurons," she said.
"This study helps to call attention to the risk that Parkinson's patients may also have for developing melanoma," Dr. DePold Hohler added. "It reminds me to caution my Parkinson's patients to have regular checkups with their dermatologist."
This study was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The researchers have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Neurology. 2011;76:2002-2009.
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