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Ultraviolet Radiation and Melanoma

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Melanoma

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Abstract

There is overwhelming epidemiologic, animal model, and molecular evidence that ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a major pathogenic factor in the development of the most common subtypes of melanoma. Both UVB and UVA induce pyrimidine dimer DNA photoproducts, possibly through different mechanisms, induce mutations (mostly the C → T UV-signature mutation), and contribute to melanoma formation. There is no conclusive evidence that oxidative DNA base modifications play a significant role in melanomagenesis. Sun seeking and artificial tanning are most likely to blame for the steady increases of melanoma incidence over the past decades. Photoprotection can reduce melanoma risk. Education of the public about the dangers of UVR exposure from natural and artificial sources and about effective measures of photoprotection with the goal to modify behavior and to reduce UVR exposure is the best strategy to reverse the increases in melanoma incidence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Thomas M. Rünger

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  1. Thomas M. Rünger
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Correspondence to Thomas M. Rünger .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard/MGH Cutaneous Biology Research C Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    David E. Fisher

  2. Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA

    Boris C. Bastian

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Dermatology, Harvard/MGH Cutaneous Biology Research Center, and Melanoma Program, MGH Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    David E. Fisher M.D.

  2. QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia

    Nick Hayward

  3. QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia

    David C. Whiteman

  4. Henri and Belinda Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies, MGH Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Keith T. Flaherty

  5. Framingham, MA, USA

    F. Stephen Hodi M.D.

  6. Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA

    F. Stephen Hodi M.D.

  7. Auburndale, MA, USA

    Hensin Tsao

  8. Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Hensin Tsao

  9. Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Glenn Merlino Ph.D.

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Rünger, T.M. (2018). Ultraviolet Radiation and Melanoma. In: Fisher, D., Bastian, B. (eds) Melanoma. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7322-0_25-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7322-0_25-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-7322-0

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