Cutaneous melanomas in patients treated with psoralens plus ultraviolet A. A case report and the experience of the PUVA Follow-up Study.
Psoralens plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy is widely used in the treatment of psoriasis and other cutaneous conditions. We present the case of a patient who developed a superficial spreading melanoma 3 years after first being treated with PUVA. The development of melanomas in patients receiving PUVA is reviewed. During 13,224 person-years of prospective follow-up of 1380 patients enrolled in the PUVA follow-up study, three melanomas were diagnosed, which does not differ significantly from the expected rate (relative risk = 1.5 with 90% confidence interval 0.3 to 7.3). However, considering the effects of PUVA on melanocytes and that the development of melanomas may have a long latent period, continued follow-up studies are indicated.
Gupta
A K
AK
Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Stern
R S
RS
Swanson
N A
NA
Anderson
T F
TF
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology