Oral communication, PS7 / C98

Official XXIst International Pigment Cell Conference website - 21-24 Sept 2011, Bordeaux - France | updated: September 04 2011

Retrospective analysis of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer incidence in a large vitiligo patient cohort

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vitiligo development in melanoma patients is associated with effective anti-melanoma immunity and consequent favourable clinical outcome. Anti-melanoma immunity can mediate vitiligo by targeting both melanoma cells and melanocytes. This suggests that vitiligo patients, having active anti-melanocyte immunity, have a decreased risk of developing melanoma. Little is known about the incidence of melanoma in vitiligo patients. We evaluated the lifelong incidence of melanoma in a large vitiligo patient cohort and in a matched healthy control group. Vitiligo patients lack pigmentation and are therefore expected to have a higher risk of developing non-melanoma-skin-cancer (NMSC), we therefore also evaluated the lifelong incidence of NMSC. METHODS: We performed a retrospective survey in patients of the SNIP aged 50 years or older and diagnosed with vitiligo vulgaris. The questions in this survey concerned patient demographics, skin type, onset of vitiligo and treatment history, sun exposure/behaviour and history of skin cancer. All patients were asked to have a control questionnaire filled in by their (non-vitiligo) partner or non-blood line related family member or friend. All skin cancers reported by patients or controls were validated by the official pathology report. Statistical significant differences in outcome between both groups as well as external factors contributing to melanoma or NMSC incidence were analysed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Until now we have collected 1200 vitiligo - and 800 matched controls’ questionnaires. Preliminary results indicate that melanoma occurs less frequently in vitiligo patients compared to healthy controls. NMSC incidence is also lower, despite a history of NB-UVB/PUVA therapy in most vitiligo patients. Results of other analyses will be discussed.

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