Hypothyroidism as Prognostic Factor in Cutaneous Melanoma: A 1553-Patient Single-Center Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Endocrinology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Cutaneous melanoma is a growing health issue, necessitating identification of risk factors for better patient stratification.
• Hypothyroidism, prevalent in 5.1% of the German population, has been linked to various cancers.
• This study examines hypothyroidism's prevalence and prognostic impact in melanoma patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism in cutaneous melanoma patients.
• To investigate potential associations between hypothyroidism and melanoma characteristics or prognosis.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective, single-center study included 1553 patients with AJCC stages I-III cutaneous melanoma.
• Patients were categorized into hypothyroid and euthyroid groups based on thyroid function.
• Data were gathered from clinical records and patient questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Hypothyroidism was found in 15.1% of melanoma patients, significantly exceeding the national prevalence (p < 0.001).
• Hypothyroid patients had a higher incidence of lower extremity melanomas (p < 0.001).
• A trend towards lower Breslow thickness (p=0.09) and significantly fewer metastatic lymph nodes (p=0.009) were observed in hypothyroid patients.

Conclusions:

• Hypothyroidism is significantly more prevalent in cutaneous melanoma patients.
• The findings suggest a potential association between hypothyroidism and favorable prognostic indicators in melanoma.
• Further research is warranted to explore the protective role of hypothyroidism or its associated factors in melanoma progression.