title: Uveal melanoma in relation to ultraviolet light exposure and host factors.
abstract: We conducted a case-control interview study among 1277 subjects (407 patients, 870 controls selected by using random digit dial) in 11 western United States to determine whether uveal melanoma and cutaneous melanoma shared common risk factors. After adjustment for other factors, the risk of uveal melanoma was increased for those with green, gray, or hazel eyes [relative risk (RR) = 2.5, P less than 0.001] or blue eyes (RR = 2.2, P less than 0.001) when compared to brown. A tendency to sunburn after 0.5 h midday summer sun exposure increased risk for uveal melanoma (burn with tanning RR = 1.5, P = 0.02; burn with little tanning RR = 1.8, P less than 0.001; burn with no tanning RR = 1.7, P = 0.002); as did exposure to UV or black lights (RR = 3.7, P = 0.003); and welding burn, sunburn of the eye, or snow blindness (RR = 7.2, P less than 0.001). An association with uveal melanoma was also noted with an increasing number of large nevi (P = 0.04 for trend), although the individual risk estimates were not remarkable. These data suggest that host factors and exposure to UV light are risk factors for uveal melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Northern California Cancer Center, Program in Epidemiology, Belmont 94002.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Holly
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Aston
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Char
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kristiansen
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Ahn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003069:Coffee / Q000009:adverse effects; D005127:Eye Color; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D006200:Hair Color; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D009506:Nevus / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D013471:Sunburn / Q000150:complications; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D003069:Coffee