The Role of Optical Radiations in Skin Cancer

Fabrizio Ayala,Rossella Di Trolio,Paolo A Ascierto,Marco Palla,Nicola Mozzillo

doi:10.1155/2013/842359

Fabrizio Ayala, Rossella Di Trolio + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/842359

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Abstract

Purpose. Electromagnetic radiation with wavelength in the range 100 nm to 1 mm is known as optical radiation and includes ultraviolet radiation, the visible spectrum, and infrared radiation. The deleterious short- and long-term biological effects of ultraviolet radiation, including melanoma and other skin cancers, are well recognized. Infrared radiation may also have damaging biological effects. Methods. The objective of this review was to assess the literature over the last 15 years and to summarize correlations between exposure to optical radiation and the risk of melanoma and other cancers. Results. There is a clear correlation between exposure to UV radiation and the development of skin cancer. Most importantly, a strong association between artificial UV radiation exposure, for example, tanning devices, and the risk of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma has been clearly demonstrated. There is no clear evidence that exposure to IR and laser radiation may increase the risk of skin cancer, although negative health effects have been observed. Conclusions. Preventative strategies that involve provision of public information highlighting the risks associated with exposure to sunlight remain important. In addition, precautionary measures that discourage exposure to tanning appliances are required, as is legislation to prevent their use during childhood.

Highlights

Electromagnetic radiation with wavelength (λ) in the range 100 nm to 1 mm is known as optical radiation and includes ultraviolet radiation (UV; 100–400 nm), through the visible spectrum (380–780 nm) to infrared radiation (IR; 9780 nm– 1 mm) (Figure 1) [1]
Environmental Protection Agency SunWise Program, the National Weather Service-Climate Prediction Center (NWSCPC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Meteorologic Organization (OMM), and the Electrotechnical International Committee. These data have been complemented by a systematic literature review, in which various combinations of keywords have been used to search MEDLINE and identify relevant publications. These keywords consisted of ultraviolet radiation, UVR, infrared radiation, IR, cancer, tumor, skin cancer, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, BCC, squamous cell carcinoma, SCC, sun tanning, sunburn, solaria, sunlamp, sunbed, artificial UV, laser, Nd:YAG, diode, Alexandrite, carbon dioxide, ruby, erbium:YAG, pulsed dye, and argon
Our review of the literature shows a clear association between UV radiation exposure and increased risk of melanoma and other skin cancers

Summary

Introduction

Electromagnetic radiation with wavelength (λ) in the range 100 nm to 1 mm is known as optical radiation and includes ultraviolet radiation (UV; 100–400 nm), through the visible spectrum (380–780 nm) to infrared radiation (IR; 9780 nm– 1 mm) (Figure 1) [1]. IR radiation is further divided into IRA (780–1400 nm), IRB (1400–3000 nm), and IRC (3000 nm–1 mm) These spectral bands, as defined by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) in 1987 [2], represent the starting point for this consideration of the biologic effects of optical radiation. Our planet is subjected to a solar radiation of about 1350 W/m2, in reality only around 900 W/m2 reaches the Earth’s surface because of the reflective effect of the stratosphere. Of this amount, the UV component constitutes a limited fraction (around 5%), since sunlight consists of visible and infrared bands. The maximum UV radiation measured at ground level is 70 W/m2 (4200 J/min) of UVA, 2.5 W/m2(150 J/min) of UVB, and almost no UVC [3]

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