The dual risk profile of site-specific cancers in vitiligo: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

Site-specific cancer risks in vitiligo patients remain inconsistent, with paradoxical evidence for individual malignancies and no synthesis. Systematic searches in PubMed (1996-February 2025), Embase (1947-February 2025), Web of Science (1997-February 2025), Cochrane Library (1996-February 2025) (pre-inception retroactively indexed studies, January 1900-February 2025); 13 included in our meta-analysis. Stata 18.0 computed pooled RRs (95% CIs); heterogeneity assessed via publication bias, subgroup and sensitivity analyses. The study incorporated thirteen studies. It is evident that there is a statistically significant correlation between the occurrence of vitiligo and an elevated risk of developing thyroid cancer (RR = 1.59, 95% CI [1.19, 2.12]). Conversely, a significant reduction in risk was observed for overall cancer (RR = 0.77, 95% CI [0.66, 0.90]), cancers of the respiratory system (RR = 0.75, 95% CI [0.66, 0.84]), digestive system (RR = 0.74, 95% CI [0.63, 0.87]), and skin cancers (RR = 0.58, 95% CI [0.36, 0.93]). This study demonstrates a dual cancer risk profile in vitiligo: increased risk for thyroid cancer, but decreased risk for overall cancer, internal malignancies (respiratory and digestive systems) and skin cancers. These findings suggest the potential need for customized cancer surveillance strategies and investigation into preventive interventions.