Is there a decreased risk of skin cancer in patients with AA?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition. Recent studies have suggested that a closely related autoimmune condition called vitiligo (whereby skin cells lose pigment) may be associated with a decreased risk of skin cancer.

A number of studies to date have suggested that patients with alopecia areata may be at decreased risk for skin cancer.

Miller R et al. 2015

In a 2015 study, researchers evaluated 584 patients with alopecia areata and compared data to 172 controls. Data showed that patients with alopepcia areata had a reduced risk of squamous cell carincoma (0.51 % vs 0.58% with p=0.012). There was a trend for a reduced risk of basal cell carcinoma (1.54% vs. 3.48% (P=0.10), and malignant melanoma (0.51% vs. 1.74% (P=0.10).

Mostaghimi et al 2016

In a 2016 study, researchers from Harvard looked at the the risk of skin cancer in patents with alopecia areata compared to patients who did not have alopecia areata. A incidence of skin cancer in 1414 patients with alopecia areata was compared to the risk of skin cancer in 4242 patients who did not have alopecia areata.

Overall, there were fewer patients with alopecia areata who were diagnosed with basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers compared to patients who did not have alopecia areata. Interestingly, there was a slightly decreased risk of melanoma as well.

CONCLUSION

Patients with alopecia areata appear to have a reduction in the risk of squamous cell and possibly other skin cancers as well.

REFERENCE:

Mostaghimi et al. Reduced incidence of skin cancer in patients with alopecia areata: A retrospective cohort study. Cancer Epidemiology 2016

Miller R et al. Prevalence of Comorbid Conditions and Sun-Induced Skin Cancers in Patients with Alopecia Areata. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc . 2015 Nov;17(2):61-2. doi: 10.1038/jidsymp.2015.44.