Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research
Open Access

Abstract

Meta-Analyses of Epidemiologic Associations between Cutaneous Melanoma and Thyroid Cancer

Donna Tran, Erica Gotow, Jessica Galvin, Jeremy S Bordeaux, Cheryl L Thompson, Kevin D Cooper and Meg R Gerstenblith

Background: The incidences of cutaneous melanoma (CM) and thyroid cancer (TC) continue to increase in the United States, and recent studies have demonstrated associations between these two malignancies.

Objective: We explore these associations between CM and TC by reviewing, and combining in meta-analyses, population-based studies that assessed risk for TC in individuals with a history of CM, and reciprocally, risk for CM in individuals with a history of TC.

Methods: A literature search was performed using the PubMed databases with the terms “melanoma thyroid cancer.” Relevant English-language articles were included. Meta-analyses were conducted for both risk of TC among CM survivors and CM among TC survivors.

Results: Population-based studies demonstrate an increased risk for TC among CM survivors, and likewise, an increased risk of CM among TC survivors. Our meta-analysis suggests a statistically significant standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for TC after CM of 1.88 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.62-2.15), which was higher among men (2.60, 95% CI=1.65-3.55) compared to women (1.59, 95% CI=1.10-2.09), but this was not statistically significant. Likewise, a significant SIR for CM after TC of 1.49 (95% CI=1.20-1.79) was demonstrated in the metaanalysis; however, the sex-specific SIRs for CM after TC were not statistically significantly different, which may be due to small sample sizes.

Conclusions: The observed bidirectional association between CM and TC raises the possibility of shared risk factors, which should be further explored. Additionally, further studies should be performed to assess the benefit of screening TC patients for melanoma and CM patients for TC.