Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency has been found to be associated with multiple chronic diseases, including diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. However, the relationship between vitamin D and cancer remains controversial. Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent in the general population. In accordance, vitamin D deficiency was found to be prevalent in Scotland. In a study performed in Scotland vitamin D deficiency was observed, however, no relationship with specific cancers was found. Additionally, relationship between vitamin D receptor mutations and cancer of the prostate has been observed.

Aim: The aim was to estimate the relationship between vitamin D and cancer of the prostate.

Methods: In a group of 31 patients suffering from prostate cancer 25(OH)D₃ levels, PTH levels and calcium levels were measured. Observations were also performed in 31 patients, male, in the same age group serving as controls.

Results: Vitamin D, 25(OH)D₃ levels, were found to be 25.32±1.9 ng/ml and 20.21±2.37 ng/ml in the group of prostate cancer patients and the control group, respectively, (P<0.001).

Conclusions: The relationship between vitamin D and cancer remains controversial. A relationship has been observed between mutations of the vitamin D receptor and cancer of the prostate. However, the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and cancer is controversial. In the present study higher vitamin D levels were observed in prostate cancer patients as compared to a control group of men within the same age group. Therefore, when administering vitamin supplementation as well as vitamin D treatment for osteoporosis or osteomalacia caution should be exercised in order to keep vitamin D levels within the normal range. It should also be noted, that 25(OH)D₃ exerts its effects by binding to its receptor within the core of the cell, thereby exerting powerful, important and as yet unknown effects in the human organism.