Is ultraviolet radiation avoidance affecting bone health in melanoma patients?

Background: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has numerous beneficial effects on human health, including stimulating vitamin D and serotonin production and immuno-regulatory activities. Conversely, UV radiation is also classified as a group one carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Purpose: To investigate the effects of UV radiation avoidance in melanoma patients in terms of vitamin D levels but also of bone mineral density and trabecular bone microarchitecture. Methods: We conducted an observational study investigating the effects of UV radiation avoidance in 31 melanoma patients in terms of vitamin D levels but also of bone mineral density and trabecular bone microarchitecture by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Data were compared with two control groups of healthy subjects, who were chronically exposed or not exposed to UV radiation during their lifetime. Results: Melanoma patients had on average slightly lower levels of vitamin D, without reaching statistical significance (P =.135). No significant difference was found across the three groups on T-scores of femoral neck (P =.544), of total hip (P =.617) and of lumbar spine P =.155). No significant difference was found on and trabecular bone score across exposure groups (P =.895). Conclusion: UV radiation avoidance does not seem to significantly impact vitamin D levels nor bone health in melanoma patients. Thus, UV protective behavior is advisable for all melanoma patients.