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Head & Face Medicine
Published in: Head & Face Medicine 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Review

Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma of the head and face

Authors: L. Feller, R. A. G. Khammissa, B. Kramer, M. Altini, J. Lemmer

Published in: Head & Face Medicine | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Ultraviolet light (UV) is an important risk factor for cutaneous basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and cutaneous melanoma of the skin. These cancers most commonly affect persons with fair skin and blue eyes who sunburn rather than suntan. However, each of these cancers appears to be associated with a different pattern of UV exposure and to be mediated by different intracellular molecular pathways.
Some melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene variants play a direct role in the pathogenesis of cutaneous basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and cutaneous melanoma apart from their role in determining a cancer-prone pigmentory phenotype (fair skin, red hair, blue eyes) through their interactions with other genes regulating immuno-inflammatory responses, DNA repair or apoptosis.
In this short review we focus on the aetiological role of UV in cutaneous basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and cutaneous melanoma of the skin, and on some associated biopathological events.
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Metadata
Title
Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma of the head and face
Authors
L. Feller
R. A. G. Khammissa
B. Kramer
M. Altini
J. Lemmer
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Head & Face Medicine / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1746-160X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13005-016-0106-0

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