From the Research
Cancers that can cause serum vitamin B12 toxicity include hepatocellular carcinoma, secondary liver metastases, myeloproliferative disorders, and solid tumors that frequently metastasize to the liver, such as breast, lung, pancreatic, and gastric cancers, as supported by the most recent study 1.
Key Points
- Elevated serum vitamin B12 levels are often associated with advanced disease and poor prognosis in cancer patients 2.
- The relationship between vitamin B12 levels and cancer is complex, with some studies suggesting that high plasma vitamin B12 concentrations may be associated with cancer, particularly liver cancer 3.
- However, a recent scoping review found that the evidence for a causal relationship between high plasma vitamin B12 concentrations and cancer is limited, and that low vitamin B12 status in patients with cancer needs to be diagnosed and treated to prevent hematological and neurological sequelae 1.
- The most common cancers associated with elevated serum vitamin B12 levels are those that damage liver cells or interfere with B12 binding proteins in the blood, such as hepatocellular carcinoma and myeloproliferative disorders 4.
Relevant Cancers
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer)
- Secondary liver metastases
- Myeloproliferative disorders (e.g. chronic myeloid leukemia, polycythemia vera)
- Solid tumors that frequently metastasize to the liver (e.g. breast, lung, pancreatic, and gastric cancers)
Clinical Implications
- Elevated serum vitamin B12 levels in cancer patients may indicate advanced disease and poor prognosis.
- Low vitamin B12 status in patients with cancer needs to be diagnosed and treated to prevent hematological and neurological sequelae.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between vitamin B12 levels and cancer, and to determine the clinical implications of elevated serum vitamin B12 levels in cancer patients.