Study Suggests Link Between Parkinson's and Development of Melanoma
By Denise Mann
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD
Latest Neurology NewsValidity of Baseline Concussion Tests QuestionedMigraine Plus PTSD 4 Times More Likely in MenModerate Exercise May Cut Risk of 'Silent' StrokeNew Clues on Genetic Causes of AutismChronic Pot Smoking Affects Brain ChemistryWant More News? Sign Up for MedicineNet Newsletters!June 6, 2011 -- People with Parkinson's disease are at increased risk for developing melanoma, a potentially fatal form of skin cancer, a study shows.
The new findings appear in Neurology.
Close to 1 million people in the U.S. have Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disease marked by tremors and difficulty with movement and walking.
The researchers analyzed 12 studies of people with both Parkinson's disease and melanoma. These studies were conducted from 1965 and 2010, and most had fewer than 10 people with both conditions.
When compared to those without Parkinson's disease, men with Parkinson's were twice as likely to develop melanoma. Women with Parkinson's disease were 1.5 times as likely to be diagnosed with this form of skin cancer. Parkinson's disease was not associated with an increased risk of other types of skin cancer.
Exactly how the two conditions are linked is not fully understood. Initially, there was some suspicion that a Parkinson's medication called levodopa may be responsible for this increased risk, but this has not been substantiated. There may be some genetic of environmental risk factor that serves as the common denominator between the two conditions.
"Further research is needed to examine the nature and mechanisms of this relationship in order to advance our understanding about the
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