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CarcinogenesisMelanin

 

Xeroderma pigmentosum (age 20)
Xeroderma pigmentosum (age 20)

Xeroderma pigmentosum (age 20)
Xeroderma pigmentosum (age 20)

Risk of Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Risk of Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma


Standard Model of Carcinogenesis

The standard model of carcinogenesis invokes a tumor induction event, followed by a series of tumor promotion events.

  • tumor induction
    • ultraviolet light as an inducer can be the ultraviolet light acquired in childhood
  • tumor promotion
    • multiple promotion events are usually necessary following induction
    • additional UV light can be a tumor promoter
    • each additional promotion event leads to increased risk of cancer developing
    • promotion events are particularly important when they damage a cell rather than kill it
  • basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma
    • very low doses of UVB increase cancer risk for basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma
    • childhood exposure can be very important to later life risk
  • squamous carcinoma
    • is linked to the accumulation of a very large amount of ultraviolet light
    • risk is low with low amounts of exposure, and very high with large amounts of exposure
    • outdoor workers, and those active in sports, are at particularly high risk for squamous carcinoma

 

  
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