Vitiligo: a link with skin cancer?

Does vitiligo increase the risk of developing skin cancer?

Vitiligo, an autoimmune disorder resulting in skin depigmentation, appears to prompt several concerns about its potential to elevate the risk of skin cancer. Do people with vitiligo therefore face a higher risk of developing skin cancer? Find out here.

Published on October 17, 2025, updated on October 17, 2025, by Lilia, Scientific Editor — 4 min of reading

The essential point to remember.

Vitiligo results from autoimmune destruction of melanocytes, leading to melanin loss and localised depigmentation.
Despite reduced natural photoprotection, individuals with vitiligo exhibit a lower risk of skin cancer.
This protection would be linked to an heightened immune activity, capable of early clearance of abnormal melanocytic cells, and to an improved photoprotective behaviour.
Depigmented areas, however, remain more sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation : daily sun protection therefore remains essential.

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Vitiligo: a protection against cancer?

Vitiligo is a benign autoimmune disorder characterised by destruction of melanocytes, resulting in depigmentation of one or more areas of the body. The primary cause is a dysregulation of the immune system. In this condition, the body mistakenly recognises melanocytes as foreign and mounts an immune response against them. This attack leads to their progressive loss, giving rise to depigmented patches on various parts of the body. The precise triggers of this response are not yet fully understood, but a genetic predisposition appears to play a significant role, often in conjunction with precipitating factors such as stress, certain infections or hormonal imbalances.

This depigmentation seen in vitiligo, by diminishing the skin’s natural defence against UV radiation, raises questions about an increased risk of skin cancers related to oxidative damage. Indeed, UV rays can induce mutations in melanocyte DNA, promoting their transformation into tumour cells and leading to melanoma development. Yet, several studies paradoxically show that individuals with vitiligo have a lower tendency to develop skin cancer. This protection, confined to cutaneous cancers, may be explained by an overactive immune response targeting pigment-producing cells, which could also inhibit the progression of potentially tumourigenic melanocyte cells.

≈ 38%

Reduced risk of developing skin cancer in patients with vitiligo (study conducted on 1,021,154 participants).

This study also noted that patient behaviour, such as better sun protection, could contribute to these results. CTLA-4 and PD-1 inhibitors act by reducing the activity of regulatory T cells, which are involved in the control of the immune response. By lowering this activity, these treatments can promote the development of autoimmune diseases, such as vitiligo. This phenomenon reinforces the idea that vitiligo and melanoma could be linked to opposite genetic profiles, which has led to vitiligo being recently labelled as "white armour", a metaphor indicating its potential protective role against certain skin cancers.

However, this immune protection is not absolute. The depigmented areas remain extremely sensitive to sunlight, as they are devoid of melanin. Individuals with vitiligo must therefore maintain strict photoprotection: daily application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing protective clothing and avoiding prolonged sun exposure. This vigilance is essential to prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of skin cancer.