The age of skin cancers.
Cancer affects two major cell types in the human skin: epithelial cells and melanocytes. Aging and a previous history of ultraviolet light exposure are major risk factors for skin cancers, including basal and squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas. However, melanomas, which are the most deadly of the skin tumors, display two intriguing characteristics: The incidence is increased and the prognosis is worse in males over 60 years as compared with females of the same age. This Perspective discusses possible reasons for age and gender as melanoma risk factors, as well as the need for studies aimed at unraveling the molecular mechanism of such puzzling events.
Desai
Anu
A
Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Krathen
Richard
R
Orengo
Ida
I
Medrano
Estela E
EE
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes; D008545:Melanoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*