Incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer in a cohort of patients with vitiligo

BackgroundNonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) incidence in patients with vitiligo has not been studied.ObjectiveWe sought to quantify the incidence of NMSC in patients with vitiligo.MethodsA cohort of 477 patients with vitiligo and no history of NMSC seen in an outpatient academic center between January 2001 and December 2006 was established. All charts for patients with vitiligo were reviewed for incident NMSC, and histopathology verified. Age-adjusted (2000 US Standard Million) incidence rates were calculated and compared to US rates.ResultsSix patients with NMSC were identified; all were Caucasian (>61 years). Age-adjusted incidence rates were: basal cell carcinoma, male 1382/100,000; basal cell carcinoma, female 0; squamous cell carcinoma, male 465/100,000; squamous cell carcinoma, female 156/100,000. Except for basal cell carcinoma in females, all rates were higher than US rates but not statistically significant.LimitationsComparison incidence rates from the general patient population during the same time period were unavailable.ConclusionHealth care providers should be aware of the possible risk of NMSC in Caucasian patients with vitiligo.