Correlation of Invasion Parameters in Basal Cell Carcinoma with Pre-diagnostic Vitamin D Insufficiency Levels

Abstract

Correlation of Invasion Parameters in Basal Cell Carcinoma with Pre-diagnostic Vitamin D Insufficiency Levels

Abstract

Purpose: The relationship between vitamin D and non-melanoma skin cancers remains controversial. Elevated serum vitamin D levels above 60 nmol/L (24 ng/mL) have been linked to increased basal cell carcinoma risk. The study aims to investigate the association of tumor invasion parameters in basal cell carcinoma with vitamin D insufficiency levels. Material and Methods: Retrospective examination of basal cell carcinoma cases (2014-2024) with serum vitamin D levels <25ng/mL. Histopathological analysis measured Breslow thickness and evaluated Clark level. Results: The study included 45.5% males and 54.5% females, mean age 67.95±8.6 years. Mean vitamin D levels were 15.69±6.56 ng/mL. Non-aggressive histologic types showed lower Clark levels (p<0.05). High Clark level group had thicker Breslow (2409.2 ± 253.05 μm) than low Clark level group (2120.13 ± 832.19 μm) (p<0.05). However, no significant difference in mean vitamin D levels was observed in either the Clark level or localization groups. Serum vitamin D level did not correlate with Breslow thickness or Clark level (p>0.05). Conclusion: In basal cell carcinoma cases with vitamin D insufficiency, serum vitamin D level does not correlate with Clark level or Breslow thickness. Therefore, prediagnostic vitamin D insufficiency levels in basal cell carcinoma are not significantly associated with invasion parameters.

Keywords

• Calcifediol
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Skin Neoplasms

Supporting Institution

No funding was received for conducting this study.

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Bilecik University (approval number: 2023/8-11), ensuring full compliance with the ethical guidelines outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki.

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