Cancer Risk by the Subtype of Alopecia

June 2018 in “ Scientific Reports ”

Ji Hyun Lee, Yumee Song, Kyung Do Han, Young Min Park, Jun Young Lee, Yong Gyu Park, Young Bok Lee

alopecia areata alopecia totalis alopecia universalis thyroid cancer bladder cancer prostate cancer skin cancer AA AT AU

Studysummary This study reported that patients with alopecia areata or alopecia totalis/universalis have a slightly increased overall cancer risk compared to controls, with specific increases in thyroid, bladder, and prostate cancers depending on the alopecia type.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The study, involving 668,604 alopecia patients and 3,343,020 matched controls, found that individuals with alopecia areata (AA) and alopecia totalis/universalis (AT/AU) had a slightly increased overall cancer risk, with specific increases in thyroid cancer for both AA and AT/AU patients, and additional increases in bladder and prostate cancer risks for AA patients. The hazard ratios for overall cancer were 1.043 for AA and 1.07 for AT/AU. Despite these findings, there was no increased risk of skin cancer in AA patients. The study, which used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service, highlighted the need for regular cancer monitoring in alopecia patients and further research to understand the relationship between alopecia subtypes and cancer risk. Limitations of the study included a lack of detailed information on alopecia characteristics, treatments, lifestyle factors, and follow-up duration.

View this study on nature.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

12 / 12 results

research Comorbidities in Patients with Alopecia Areata

56 citations , March 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata patients often have eczema, thyroid issues, vitamin-D deficiency, and anemia.

research Epidemiology and Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

144 citations , July 2015 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

This review reports that alopecia areata affects about 2% of people globally and is linked with psychiatric and medical comorbidities, highlighting its significant disease burden.

research Vitamin D Deficiency in Alopecia Areata

105 citations , March 2014 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

In this study, patients with alopecia areata were found to have significantly lower serum vitamin D levels compared to those with vitiligo and healthy individuals, with lower levels correlating with increased disease severity.

research Increased DHT Levels in Androgenic Alopecia Selected to Protect Men from Prostate Cancer

9 citations , January 2014 in “Medical Hypotheses”

This article discusses the hypothesis that mechanisms driving androgenic alopecia may reduce the risk and proliferation of prostate cancer by increasing prostaglandin D2 levels but presents no new clinical findings.

research Women With Alopecia Exhibit a Higher Risk for Thyroid Cancer: A Nationwide Cohort Study

6 citations , December 2013 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

This study found that Taiwanese women with alopecia may have a significantly higher risk of developing thyroid cancer compared to those without alopecia.

research The Association Between Interleukin-4 Gene Intron 3 VNTR Polymorphism and Alopecia Areata in Turkish Population

42 citations , July 2013 in “Gene”

This study found that intron 3 VNTR polymorphism in the IL-4 gene may be associated with an increased risk of alopecia areata in the Turkish population.

research Androgenetic Alopecia and Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

34 citations , February 2013 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This meta-analysis found that vertex pattern androgenetic alopecia was associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, while other androgenetic alopecia patterns did not show a significant link.

research Age-Dependent Associations Between Androgenetic Alopecia and Prostate Cancer Risk

17 citations , November 2012 in “Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention”

This study observed that men with vertex androgenetic alopecia at age 40 had a higher risk of early-onset prostate cancer, suggesting a potential link between the conditions.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

421 citations , April 2012 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.

research Androgenic Alopecia Is Not Useful as an Indicator of Men at High Risk of Prostate Cancer

28 citations , June 2010 in “European Journal of Cancer”

This study found that androgenic alopecia at an early age was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer, contrary to assumptions about androgens' role.

research Alopecia Areata Update

391 citations , January 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews the clinical presentation and histopathologic features of alopecia areata and proposes a hypothesis for its development, but it reports no new clinical results.

research Alopecia in the United States: Outpatient Utilization and Common Prescribing Patterns

46 citations , July 2007 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This letter discusses the psychological impact of alopecia areata, highlighting its association with increased depression and anxiety, but reports no new clinical findings.