Association between Serum Vitamin D Levels and Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Abstract

Background: Basal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer in humans. The most common cause of this cancer is ultraviolet radiation. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate a possible relationship between the levels of vitamin D and basal cell carcinoma. Methods: In this case-control study, 70 patients with basal cell carcinoma were admitted and registered in the dermatology clinic of Razi hospital in Rasht. The control group included healthy people from the skin clinic or hospital staff matched for gender, skin type, and age. Patients not receiving calcium supplements or vitamin D and not having underlying conditions associated with vitamin D deficiency were included in this study. The individuals were questioned to complete a demographic questionnaire. Blood samples were taken from all the participants and analyzed for vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorus levels in a reference laboratory. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze and evaluate the data. Results: The mean vitamin D level was 24.1 ± 12.1 ng/mL in the patient group and 24.6 ± 11.5 ng/ mL in the control group. Among participants in this study, 49 (35%) suffered from vitamin D deficiency, 62 (44.3%) had insufficient vitamin D levels and only 20.7% had acceptable vitamin D levels. There was no significant difference in vitamin D deficiency between the two groups including controls (34.3% (n = 24)) and patients (35.7% (n = 35)) (P = 0.1). Also, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of other biochemical factors in the blood. Conclusions: The present study indicates that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in both patients with basal skin cancer and healthy people, which should importantly be considered in future studies.