Objective: To update the available data on the prevalence of cancer among patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and the prevalence of PD among cancer patients through a comprehensive meta-analysis.
Background: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) has been associated with varying risks of cancer. This meta-analysis explores the prevalence of specific cancer types in PD patients and the risk of PD among cancer patients.
Method: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library using the keywords “Parkinson’s Disease” and “Cancer.” Studies published up to 2024 were included based on PRISMA guidelines. A total of 37 studies were selected for analysis
Results: Cancer Prevalence in PD: (522,521 PD patients; 31,417 cancer events) were analyzed. The pooled prevalence of cancer among PD patients was 12.74% (95% CI: 7.81–17.66). The analysis revealed substantial heterogeneity (I2=99.9%) suggesting variability across studies.
PD vs. Control Group: (1,324,791 participants; 250,160 PD patients and 1,074,631 controls) were analyzed. The pooled risk ratio (RR) for cancer in PD patients compared to controls was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.77–1.09; p = 0.3227), with substantial heterogeneity (I2=98.3%), indicating no significant difference in cancer risk between the groups.
Among 202,478 participants (66,098 PD and 136,380 controls), the RR for brain cancer in PD patients was 2.44 (95% CI: 1.64–3.65; p < 0.0001), with no heterogeneity, indicating a significantly higher risk, while among 500,313 participants (85,753 PD and 414,560 controls), the RR for melanoma was 1.36 (95% CI: 1.09–1.69; p = 0.0064), with low to moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 31.2%), also showing a significantly higher risk.
While in 559,049 participants, PD risk among cancer patients (RR=0.91; 95% CI: 0.63–1.33; p = 0.6395) showed no significant difference, with high heterogeneity.
Conclusion: These findings demonstrate a significantly higher prevalence of brain and melanoma cancers among the PD population, raising a research and investigation question to further determine the genetic and pathophysiological causes and associations between these two major pathologies. Additionally, they highlight the need to establish specific cancer screening procedures and controls for the PD population.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
H. Khelifa, A. R. Al-Ihribat, H. Smeda, A. Hendawy, A. Abunamoos. Parkinson’s Disease and Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Prevalence, Risk, and Specific Associations with Brain and Skin Cancers [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2025; 40 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/parkinsons-disease-and-cancer-a-meta-analysis-of-prevalence-risk-and-specific-associations-with-brain-and-skin-cancers/. Accessed October 5, 2025.« Back to 2025 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/parkinsons-disease-and-cancer-a-meta-analysis-of-prevalence-risk-and-specific-associations-with-brain-and-skin-cancers/