Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. This results in white patches of skin appearing on different parts of the body. While vitiligo is not considered to be a precancerous condition, there is some evidence to suggest that people with vitiligo may have a lower risk of developing keratinocyte cancer (KC), the most common type of skin cancer. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies found that people with vitiligo had a reduced risk of KC compared to the general population. The relative risk ratio (RRR) for KC in people with vitiligo was 0.78 (95% CI 0.67-0.91), meaning that people with vitiligo were 22% less likely to develop KC than people without vitiligo. The exact mechanisms underlying the reduced risk of KC in vitiligo are not fully understood, but a number of possible explanations have been proposed. One possibility is that the immune system’s attack on melanocytes in vitiligo may also lead to the destruction of precancerous keratinocytes. Another possibility is that the lack of melanin in vitiligo-affected skin may make it less sensitive to the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a major risk factor for KC. It is important to note that the reduced risk of KC in vitiligo does not mean that people with vitiligo are immune to skin cancer. It is still important for people with vitiligo to protect their skin from UV radiation by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and sunglasses when
outdoors.
