Actinic damage and skin cancer in albinos in northern Tanzania: findings in 164 patients enrolled in an outreach skin care program.
Persons with albinism are particularly vulnerable to the deleterious effects of UV light on their skin. We obtained histories and performed skin examinations on 164 albino patients living in equatorial Africa to determine their sun exposure, sun protection, and sun damage. Many patients did not wear hats and most wore short-sleeved shirts. Except for four infants, all patients had sunburned skin. Actinic cheilitis, actinic keratoses, and skin cancers were detected in many patients. Sun protection methods will be important for prevention of skin damage in albino patients.
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Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center 17033.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000417:Albinism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002613:Cheilitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007642:Keratosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011482:Protective Devices; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D017592:Skin Care; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013471:Sunburn / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects