Squamous cell carcinoma and vitiligo

Published Date: 19th July 2016

Publication Authors: Hindle E

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Ultraviolet radiation predisposes to the development of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Melanin safeguards the skin against this. This leads one to conjecture that patients with vitiligo are at a higher risk of developing skin malignancies. However, despite the lack of protective melanin and increased oxidative stress due to epidermal hydrogen peroxide in vitiligo, there is no significantly increased risk for chronic actinic damage and NMSC (Schallreuter KU, Tobin DJ, Panske A. Decreased photo damage and low incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer in 136 sun-exposed Caucasian patients with vitiligo. Dermatology 2002; 204: 194-201; Schallreuter KU, Behrens-Williams S, Khaliq TP et al. Exp Dermatol 2003; 12: 268-77). Increased epidermal functioning wild-type p53 expression in vitiligo). Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been reported in vitiligo lesions, following long-term psoralen and ultraviolet-A (PUVA) therapy. However, cases of occurrence of SCC in vitiligo patches in white patients not on PUVA are few and far between. We report a 59-year old white man with vitiligo who developed SCCs localized to the depigmented patches. We discuss the mechanisms involved in preventing the initiation of these cancers, and propose the possible explanation for our patient developing SCC.

Bedi, GK; Hindle, E. (2014).  Squamous cell carcinoma and vitiligo: A case report . British Journal of Dermatology. 171 (Supplement S4), 73

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