The Incidental Use of High-Dose Vitamin D3 in Pancreatic Cancer

Case Rep Pancreat Cancer. 2016 May 1;2(1):32-35. doi: 10.1089/crpc.2016.0003. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is associated with a very poor prognosis, with a 5 year survival of ∼7.2%. Vitamin D has long been evaluated for benefit as a protective agent and treatment for malignancies. Although cancer incidence and outcomes have been tied to vitamin D levels, there is no clear evidence that supplementation of vitamin D improves outcome in pancreatic cancer to date. Case Presentation: We present a patient who errantly took supratherapeutic doses of vitamin D 50,000 U daily, achieving a serum 25(OH)D level of more than 150 mg/mL, with no appreciable side effects. Conclusion: Her disease was stable for 8 months off of conventional treatment, although it is unclear whether this was related to vitamin D supplementation.

Keywords: carcinoma; pancreatic cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports