Cancer patients have low vitamin D (Pediatric in this case)
Do cancer patients have low levels of vitamin D? asked Perplexity AI Jan 2025
Cancer patients commonly have vitamin D deficiency, with multiple studies showing significantly high prevalence rates:
Prevalence Rates
87.3% of cancer patients have vitamin D deficiency (levels below 20 ng/mL) 1
88% of palliative care cancer patients show low vitamin D levels 2
72% of general cancer patients are vitamin D deficient 11
75.6% of breast cancer survivors have insufficient vitamin D levels 12
Key Findings
Stage-Specific Impact
Stage 4 cancer patients show particularly severe deficiency, with 93.2% having vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL and 73% below 10 ng/mL [|PDF] Comparison of Vitamin D Levels Between Healthy Individuals and ..." 1
Cancer-Specific Patterns
Breast cancer patients show deficiency rates between 62-87%, with triple-negative breast cancer patients having particularly high rates 12
Melanoma patients who avoid sun exposure are three times more likely to be vitamin D deficient than healthy individuals 5
Contributing Factors
Several factors contribute to vitamin D deficiency in cancer patients:
Reduced sun exposure due to illness and treatment
Chemotherapy-induced photosensitivity
Poor appetite and reduced dietary intake
Potential absorption issues 10
Clinical Significance
Low vitamin D levels in cancer patients are associated with:
Poorer survival rates
Increased tumor progression
Higher risk of metastasis
Reduced quality of life 13
This widespread deficiency suggests that monitoring and potentially supplementing vitamin D levels may be an important aspect of cancer care 7
Are Pediatric Cancer Patients a Risk Group for Vitamin D Deficiency? A Systematic Review - Dec 2024
Cancers 2024, 16(24), 4201; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16244201
by Alexandru Alexandru 1ORCID,Cristiana-Smaranda Ivan 1ORCID,Sonia Tanasescu 2,*,Licina Andrada Oprisoni 2,Tiberiu-Liviu Dragomir 3,Norberth-Istvan Varga 4ORCID,Diana Mateescu 4ORCID,Mircea Diaconu 5,Madalin-Marius Margan 6ORCID andEstera Boeriu 2
Simple Summary
Vitamin D plays a vital role in supporting healthy growth and development. Deficiency in this nutrient has been associated with various health problems, including an increased susceptibility to infections and other complications, particularly in vulnerable populations. Pediatric cancer patients are at a greater risk of vitamin D deficiency due to combined effects of illness, treatments, days of hospitalization, and ongoing developmental needs. This study reviewed the medical literature to understand how common vitamin D deficiency is in this type of patient and its potential impact on treatment outcomes, trying to conclude whether they are a risk group for vitamin D impairment. These findings highlight the importance of checking vitamin D levels at diagnosis and throughout treatment, alongside providing supplements when needed, to support better treatment responses and overall health in pediatric oncology patients.
Abstract
Background: Vitamin D deficiency is increasingly recognized as a global health concern, with potential implications for cancer development and progression. This systematic review investigated the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pediatric cancer patients and its potential impact on clinical outcomes.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, to identify the relevant studies published between 2009 and July 2024. Studies were included if they assessed vitamin D status in pediatric cancer patients and reported on the clinical outcomes. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers.
Results: The review included 20 original articles encompassing a diverse pediatric population with various cancer types. A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was observed across the studies. Deficiency was associated with older age and lower socioeconomic status. Several studies reported associations between vitamin D deficiency and the increased risk of infection, poorer treatment response, and decreased survival.
Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in pediatric cancer patients and may negatively impact clinical outcomes. Routine screening for vitamin D deficiency and personalized supplementation strategies should be considered in this population. Further research is needed to establish optimal vitamin D management protocols and evaluate the long-term benefits of vitamin D repletion in pediatric oncology.
📄 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life
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Reminder: Vitamin D has been proven to prevent various cancers
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