New study links rosacea with increased risk of malignant melanoma

A recent study published in Nature’s Scientific Reports has found a significant association between rosacea and malignant melanoma in Caucasian populations. The research, led by Jennifer von Stebut and colleagues, utilized the TriNetX global health research network to analyze data from 122,444 patients with rosacea and an equal number without the condition.

Key findings indicate that rosacea patients have over six times the odds of developing malignant melanoma compared to those without rosacea (OR 6.02, 95% CI 5.76–6.32). This association was particularly strong among Caucasians, while no significant link was observed in Asian cohorts. 

The findings contrast with earlier studies, such as a Danish study of 49,475 rosacea patients, which found a significant link between rosacea and non-melanoma skin cancer, but not melanoma, and two other studies including the American Nurses’ Health Study II and a 2023 systemic review both identified higher risks for non-melanoma skin cancers in rosacea patients, with no significant melanoma association. These disparities highlight the limitations of observational studies and the need for further research into rosacea’s links to various skin cancer types.

The study also identified other comorbidities associated with rosacea, including visual disturbances (OR 4.80, 95% CI 4.68–4.92), metabolic disorders (OR 3.17, 95% CI 3.11–3.22), joint problems (OR 4.16, 95% CI 4.08–4.25), and type 2 diabetes (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.58–1.65). The results underscore the importance of monitoring these conditions in rosacea patients.

While the findings emphasise the need for further research into the mechanisms linking rosacea and melanoma, they highlight the critical role of regular skin checks and preventative measures for rosacea patients, especially those of Caucasian descent. The study calls for future investigations to include factors like skin type and UV exposure to validate these results and potentially guide clinical practice.

Read the full article in Nature Scientific Reports here. 

Disclosure: This article was created by the touchDERMATOLOGY team utilizing AI as an editorial tool (ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat.) The content was developed and edited by human editors. No funding was received in the publication of this article.