Head and Neck Cancers still associated with low Vitamin D

Created November 2020

Vitamin D in Head and Neck Cancer: a Systematic Review

Current Oncology Reports volume 23, Article number: 5 (2021)

Antti Mäkitie, Iida Tuokkola, Göran Laurell, Outi Mäkitie, Kerry Olsen, Robert P. Takes, Ewa Florek, Krzysztof Szyfter, Cornelis F. M. Sier & Alfio Ferlito

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* Head and Neck Cancer associated with low vitamin D, especially with blacks - April 2012 - Note: Blacks tend to have lower levels of vitamin D than whites * Cancers of head and neck 30% less likely if vitamin D above 40 ng - Nov 2016 --- 1. See also web * THE ROLE OF VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCER : A LITERATURE REVIEW - 2019, free PDF * Disparities in Head and Neck Cancer: A Case for Chemoprevention with Vitamin D - 2020, DOI:10.3390/nu12092638 * Significance and relation of vitamin D levels in head and neck cancers - 2020   DOI:10.1093/qjmed/hcaa047.018 * Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms and Cancer  DOI:10.1007/978-3-030-46227-7_4 2020 --- 1. Vitamin D Receptor and Cancers blood level can be good, but tissue not getting enoughif poor VDR {include}

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Purpose of review

Observational studies have shown that serum 25-OH vitamin D [25(OH)D] is inversely associated with overall cancer risk in many malignancies. We performed a systematic literature review to determine whether vitamin D deficiency is related to head and neck cancer (HNC) etiology and outcome.

Recent findings

The search yielded five prospective studies reporting 25(OH)D levels prior to cancer diagnosis and their effect on the risk of HNC. Eight studies were cross-sectional or case-control studies, in which 25(OH)D levels were only measured after cancer diagnosis. Two studies found an inverse association between 25(OH)D level and HNC risk, while two other prospective cohort studies demonstrated no connection between 25(OH)D and HNC risk. Several studies reported cancer patients to have significantly lower 25(OH)D levels than controls. Associations between 25(OH)D and prognosis and mortality were variable.

Summary

The link between vitamin D and HNC has so far only been investigated in a few observational, prospective, and case-control studies. Vitamin D deficiency may be more common in HNC patients than in the healthy population. There is no evidence for a causal relationship. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether low 25(OH)D concentrations play a role in the development or outcome of HNCs.

Tags: Cancer - Other