title: Sunlight exposure and pathogenesis of uveal melanoma.
abstract: Uveal melanoma is the most frequent primary malignant intraocular tumor of adults. Among various non-modifiable risk factors, Caucasian race seems to be the most significant with light skin color, blond hair, and blue eyes being specific risk factors. The racial predisposition to uveal melanoma have been explained on the basis of susceptibility of Caucasian race to oncogenic effects of sunlight. Although there is ample evidence in support of this hypothesis in regard to skin melanoma, the evidence in regard to uveal melanoma is insufficient and contradictory. In the following review, we examine physiologic, epidemiological, and genetic data in order to determine the role of sunlight exposure in the pathogenesis of uveal melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmic Oncology, Cole Eye Institute (i3-129), Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Arun D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Ian G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Rennie
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seregard
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giblin
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McKenzie
mesh_terms: D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005123:Eye / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics