serum level of vitamin d in patients with salivary gland tumors

Introduction: the active vitamin d metabolites have anticancer effects on many human neoplasms. the vitamin d receptors have been detected in salivary glands tissue. this study aimed to evaluate the serum level of vitamin d in patients with malignant and benign salivary gland tumors. materials and methods: in this retrospective and cross-sectional study, 151 participants, including 42 patients with benign, 42 malignant salivary gland tumors, and 67 healthy subjects, participated. the serum level of vitamin d was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa). results: the mean serum level of vitamin d was 42.7 ng/ml in patients with benign tumors, 40 ng/ml in malignant tumors, and 36.7 ng/ml in the control group. there was no significant difference between the mean vitamin d level and vitamin d status in patients with salivary gland tumors and normal controls (p=0.2). there was a significant positive correlation between vitamin d level and age in the control group (p=0.04). conclusions: the results showed a high prevalence rate of vitamin d deficiency/insufficiency in salivary gland tumors and normal subjects, with no significant difference. therefore, the serum level of vitamin d might not play a significant role in the pathogenesis of these tumors, similar to many human cancers. however, further prospective studies are recommended focusing on specific tumors and considering other interventional factors.