Skip to main content

PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND MELANOMA

Image result for PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND MELANOMA
Persons with Parkinson disease (PD) have a lower than expected prevalence of most cancers, but melanoma is an exception. Several studies have found an elevated risk for malignant melanoma in PD patients. A reciprocal increased risk for PD has been reported in melanoma patients and their first-degree relatives, suggesting a common genetic or environmental link. Researchers used the Utah Cancer Registry and the Utah Population Database, which contains birth, death, and family relationship data of more than 2 million individuals, dating back in some instances 15 generations, to assess associations between PD and cancer subtypes.
Among 388,221 individuals with a recorded cause of death and at least three generations of genealogic data, 2998 had PD as a cause of death, and 48 of these had melanoma, versus an expected rate of 24.6 (relative risk, 1.95; 95% confidence interval, 1.44–2.59). The statistically significant excess risk for melanoma was found in the first- and second-degree relatives of those with PD-related deaths. Among 7841 individuals with a melanoma diagnosis and at least three generations of genealogy, the researchers found significantly increased risk for PD-related death in the melanoma cases (RR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.22–2.19) and in their first-, second-, and third-degree relatives. Prostate cancer was the only other cancer observed in excess of those with PD-related death. Among those with PD-related deaths, men had significantly fewer than expected lung, pancreas, and stomach cancers, and colon cancers were significantly decreased in women. The authors conclude that the findings in this study strongly support the hypothesis of a common genetic link between PD and melanoma.

 Comment: This study adds further genetic evidence of a link between Parkinson disease and melanoma. The strength of this association is indicated by the finding of an increased risk in both directions: an increased risk for melanoma among PD patients and vice versa. I personally have several patients who have been diagnosed with both conditions, and the question of Sinemet treatment invariably surfaces at some point. Because PD patients tend to be older, quality of life becomes a real issue for them. I typically balance the risk of their melanoma with a disability if Sinemet is discontinued. If they remain on the drug, careful melanoma follow-up is certainly indicated.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HYFRECATORS AND INTERFERENCE WITH IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC DEVICES

Investigation of Hyfrecators and They are In Vitro Interference with Implantable Cardiac Devices CHRISTOPHER WEYER, DO,* RONALD J. SIEGLE, MD,†‡ AND GUILLAUME GIRARD P. ENG, EMI-EMC§ BACKGROUND Guidelines exist for minimizing potential electromagnetic interference (EMI) with electrosurgical equipment in patients with cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices. These guidelines encompass all electrosurgical devices but are not specific for hyfrecators. OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential interference of CRM devices by hyfrecators. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using a collagen-based saline gel, three implantable pulse generators (pacemakers) and three implantable cardioverter defibrillators were tested to measure the EMI from two commonly used hyfrecators. The six devices were tested using the hyfrecator under normal use settings and on maximum power. RESULTS Hyfrecators did not interfere with defibrillators and affected pacemakers only when used in close proximity to the devi...
Post a Comment
Read more

NEW DRUG THERAPY FOR BCC

Genentech Submits New Drug Application to FDA for Vismodegib for Rare Form of Advanced Skin Cancer Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), today announced that the company has submitted a New Drug Application for vismodegib to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of people with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) for whom surgery is considered inappropriate. Vismodegib is an investigational, oral, targeted medicine designed to selectively inhibit signaling in the Hedgehog pathway, which is implicated in more than 90 percent of BCC cases. BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, which is generally considered curable by surgery. However, when it advances, BCC can cause disfiguring and debilitating effects and can ultimately be life-threatening. “We are excited by the pivotal study results that showed vismodegib substantially reduced tumor size or healed lesions for people with this rare skin cancer, which has no approved ...
Post a Comment
Read more

TRANSACTION AND MELANOMA SURVIVAL

The rate of melanoma transaction with various biopsy techniques and the influence of tumor transaction on patient survival Mohsin Mir, MD, C. Stanley Chan, MD, Farhan Khan, MD, MBA, Bhuvaneswari Krishnan, MD, Ida Orengo, MD, and Theodore Rosen, MD Houston, Texas Background: Depth of melanoma invasion is critical because it dictates patient treatment and prognosis. Recent reports indicate melanoma transection with initial biopsy does not impact patient survival; however, tumor transaction can lead to misdiagnosis and inaccurate staging. Objective: This study assessed the rate of melanoma transaction with various biopsy techniques and the impact of tumor transaction on patient survival. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all melanoma cases at our institution between 2000 and 2008. Of the 490 melanoma cases identified, 479 met inclusion criteria for the study. The transaction rates of biopsy techniques were determined. Cases of transected ...
Post a Comment
Read more