Sunlight, Vitamin D and Skin Cancer
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Edited By:The Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany ISBN: 978-0-387-77573-9 Published: 2008-01-22 This book may be purchased as an eBook (pdf) for $99, or individual chapters (pdf) may be purchased from the list below for $19. |
The goal of this volume is to comprehensively cover a highly readable overview on our present knowledge of positive and negative effects of UV-exposure, with a focus on vitamin D and skin cancer. Topics that are discussed in-depth by leading researchers and clinicians range from the newest findings in endocrinology, epidemiology, histology, photobiology, immunology, cytogenetics and molecular pathology to new concepts for prophylaxis and treatment. Experts in the field as well as health care professionals not intimately involved in these specialized areas are provided with the most significant and timely information related to these topics. It is the aim of this book to summarize essential up-to-date information for every clinician or scientist interested in how to balance between positive and negative effects of UV-exposure to minimize the risks of developing vitamin D deficiency and skin cancer.
Chapters available from this book
Ultraviolet Radiation and Malignant Melanoma
Johan Moan, Alina Carmen Porojnicu and Arne Dahlback
Essential features of the epidemiology and photobiology of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) in Norway were studied in comparison with data from countries at lower latitudes. Arguments for and against a relationship between ultraviolet radiation (UV) from sun and sun beds are discussed. Our data in...
Sun Exposure and Cancer Survival in Norway: Changes in the Risk of Death with Season of Diagnosis and Latitude
Alina Carmen Porojnicu, Arne Dahlback and Johan Moan
Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that derivatives of vitamin D may improve prognosis of a number of cancer types. Sun is our most important source of vitamin D. Seasonal variations and latitudinal gradients of calcidiol (the marker of vitamin D status) have been reported. We wanted t...
Cytogenetics of Melanoma and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer
Melanie A. Carless and Lyn R. Griffiths
Cytogenetic analysis of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers has revealed recurrent aberrations, the frequency of which is reflective of malignant potential. Highly aberrant karyotypes are seen in melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, solar keratosis and Merkel cell carcinoma with more stable karyotyp...
Solar Ultraviolet Irradiance and Cancer Incidence and Mortality
William B. Grant
Rates for many cancers are generally higher with increased distance from the equator. The first paper positing a link between sunlight and reduced risk of cancer was published in 1937. Persons in the US Navy with greater “skin irritation” (actinic keratosis and skin cancer) had lower risk of int...
Apoptosis and Pathogenesis of Melanoma and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer
Peter Erb, Jingmin Ji, Erwin Kump, Ainhoa Mielgo and Marion Wernli
Skin cancers, i.e., basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma, belong to the most frequent tumors. Their formation is based on constitutional and/or inherited factors usually combined with environmental factors, mainly UV‑irradiation through long term sun exposure....
Melanoma and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers and the Immune System
Diana Santo Domingo and Elma D. Baron
A connection between tumorigenesis and the immune system has been known to exist since the late 1960s. Two pioneers in this concept were Lewis Thomas and F. Macfarlane Burnett. In 1967 Burnett introduced the concept of immunosurveillance. This idea is based on the concept that an intact immune syste...
Vitamin D Status and Cancer Incidence and Mortality
Edward Giovannucci
The role of excessive sun exposure in increasing risk of skin cancers is well established. Less known, less established and more controversial is the potential role of sun exposure in reducing risk of several types of internal cancers. The hypothesis that sunlight may be beneficial against several t...
Molecular Biology of Malignant Melanoma
Mar Pons, Pablo Mancheño-Corvo, Pilar Martín-Duque and Miguel Quintanilla
The incidence of melanoma has increased more rapidly than any other type of cancer. In this review, we summarize the most important genetic alterations that contribute to the development of malignant melanoma. Our knowledge of the genetic and biological events involved in the genesis and progression...
p53 Protein and Pathogenesis of Melanoma and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer
Cara L. Benjamin, Vladislava O. Melnikova and Honnavara N. Ananthaswamy
The p53 tumor suppressor gene and gene product are among the most diverse and complex molecules involved in cellular functions. Genetic alterations within the p53 gene have been shown to have a direct correlation with cancer development and have been shown to occur in nearly 50% of all cancers. p53 ...
Ultraviolet Exposure Scenarios: Risks of Erythema from Recommendations on Cutaneous Vitamin D Synthesis
Ann R. Webb and Ola Engelsen
Exposure to sunlight is a major source of vitamin D for most people yet public health advice focuses overwhelmingly on avoiding exposure of unprotected skin because of the risks of erythema and skin cancer. We have calculated the exposure required to gain a number of proposed oral‑equivalent d...
Role of Viruses in the Development of Squamous Cell Cancer and Melanoma
Ulrich R. Hengge
In this chapter, the evidence for the role of human papilloma virus (HPV) in the pathogenesis of squamous cell cancer of the skin will be reviewed. Considerable dispute exists questioning the etiological role of HPV. This is due to the low copy number of HPV DNA in skin cancers and additional cofact...
Sunscreens
Guido Bens
Naturally occurring ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun has been divided into two broad band regions: low‑energy UVA (with wavelengths of 320 to 400 nm) and high‑energy UVB (280‑320 nm). Relative effectiveness of different wavelengths in producing a biologic reaction is called...
Health Initiatives for the Prevention of Skin Cancer
Rüdiger Greinert, Eckhard W. Breitbart, Peter Mohr and Beate Volkmer
Skin cancer represents the most common type of cancer in the white population worldwide and the incidence has dramatically increased during the last decades. UV radiation is the most important risk factor responsible for this development. Socio‑economical and cultural changes in behaviour of l...
Optimal Serum 25‑Hydroxyvitamin D Levels for Multiple Health Outcomes
Heike A. Bischoff-Ferrari
Recent evidence suggests that higher vitamin D intakes beyond current recommendations may be associated with better health outcomes. In this chapter, evidence is summarized from different studies that evaluate threshold levels for serum 25(OH)D levels in relation to bone mineral density (BMD), lower...
Sunlight, UV-Radiation, Vitamin D and Skin Cancer: How Much Sunlight Do We Need?
Michael F. Holick
Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin for good reason. During exposure to sunlight, the ultraviolet B photons enter the skin and photolyze 7‑dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3 which in turn is isomerized by the body’s temperature to vitamin D3. Most humans have depended on sun for their vitamin...
Solar UV Exposure and Mortality from Skin Tumors
Marianne Berwick, Anne Lachiewicz, Claire Pestak and Nancy Thomas
Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is clearly associated with increased mortality from nonmelanoma skin cancer—usually squamous cell carcinoma. However, the association with cutaneous melanoma is unclear from the evidence in ecologic studies and the few analytic studies show that high leve...
Molecular Biology of Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Jingwu Xie
Basal cell carcinomas and Squamous cell carcinomas are the two most common human cancers. The incidence of these two types of cancer is estimated to double within 20 years. Identification of the key molecular events is critical in helping us design novel strategies to treat and to prevent these canc...
At What Time Should One Go Out in the Sun?
Johan Moan, Arne Dahlback and Alina Carmen Porojnicu
To get an optimal vitamin D supplement from the sun at a minimal risk of getting cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), the best time of sun exposure is noon. Thus, common health recommendations given by authorities in many countries, that sun exposure should be avoided for three to five hours around n...
Treatment of Melanoma and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer
Knuth Rass and Wolfgang Tilgen
The incidence of skin cancer is increasing in Caucasian populations worldwide. Treatment approaches for Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) are predominantly curative and surgery can be regarded as standard of care. Nevertheless, novel and less invasive topical therapy modalities like photodynamic therap...
UV Damage and DNA Repair in Malignant Melanoma and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer
Knuth Rass and Jörg Reichrath
Exposition of the skin with solar ultraviolet radiation (UV) is the main cause of skin cancer development. The consistently increasing incidences of melanocytic and nonmelanocytic skin tumors are believed to be at least in part associated with recreational sun exposure. Epidemiological data indicate...
Solar UV‑Radiation, Vitamin D and Skin Cancer Surveillance in Organ Transplant Recipients (OTRs)
Jörg Reichrath and Bernd Nürnberg
During the last decades, the annual numbers of performed solid organ transplants continuously increase world‑wide. For example in the United States of America (US) alone, it has been reported by the United Network for Organ Sharing, that over 25,000 solid organ transplantations were performed ...
Epidemiology of Melanoma and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer—The Role of Sunlight
Ulrike Leiter and Claus Garbe
Melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) are now the most common types of cancer in white populations. Both tumor entities show an increasing incidence rate worldwide but a stable or decreasing mortality rate. The rising incidence rates of NMSC are probably caused by a combination of increased su...
Histology of Melanoma and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer
Cornelia S.L. Mueller and
According to the WHO classification of skin tumours from 2006 actinic keratoses are very common intraepidermal neoplasm of sun‑damaged skin with variable atypia of the epidermal keratinocytes. Main cause of these changes is chronical exposition to UVB light, but Aks are also observed following...
