Hashimoto Thyroiditis: Nonsignificant Risk Factor in Melanoma, Other Skin Cancer
Source: Dermatology Advisor, August 2023
Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is not a significant risk factor for melanoma or nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), according to study results published in the Archives of Dermatological Research.
Risk for ulcerated cutaneous melanoma is increased by an inflammatory microenvironment, suggesting a relationship between melanoma and a pro-inflammatory state. Therefore, researchers sought to evaluate whether HT, which often causes chronic systemic low-grade inflammation, is a risk factor for developing melanoma skin cancer. Development of melanoma and time to first melanoma diagnosis were the primary study outcomes.
In a retrospective control-matched study, the researchers extracted data from the Olmsted County (Minnesota, US) database of electronic medical records between 2005 and 2020. They identified 4805 patients at least 18 years of age for inclusion. The first group comprised 1726 patients (mean [SD] age, 45.8 [17.1] years; 83.6% White, 3.4% Asian, 2.0% Black) with HT, while the second group (control) comprised3079 patients without HT (mean age, 46.5 [17.1] years, 79.9% White, 5.3% Asian, 5.1% Black). Patients were sex- and age-matched in a 1.78:1 ratio of patients in the control group to patients with HT. Patients diagnosed with other autoimmune diseases were excluded from the study.