Risk of melanoma
Studies suggest that persons with PD have a 2 to 20 times increased risk for melanoma compared to persons without PD. This risk is not thought to be related to the medications taken for PD, but you may see it written that melanoma is a potential adverse effect to medication.
We recommend that you see a dermatologist for a thorough evaluation and then follow up for skin screening on an annual basis. It is possible that the dermatologist you see may not be familiar with the increased risk of melanoma associated with PD. This is likely because the data are relatively new and mainly published in the movement disorders scientific literature rather than the dermatology literature.
Author Mick Reedy, MD, is a Movement Disorders Specialist with
Inova Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center (IPMDC)