Ionizing radiation and skin cancer—a review of current evidence

Caramenti L, Breckow J, Hildebrandt G, Drexler H, Volkmer B, Hauptmann M (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Journal of Radiological Protection Institute of Physics: Hybrid Open Access

Book Volume: 44

Article Number: 041504

Journal Issue: 4

DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ad7ff5

Abstract

Cancer of the skin represents a challenge for radiological protection, as it is very common and involves the largest organ of the human body, which is exposed to environmental stress, including ionizing radiation (IR). The most common subtypes, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), have very low mortality. Current consideration of skin cancer in radiological protection is mainly based on data from the 1990s, which indicate that BCC may be induced by IR, SCC is only weakly associated with IR, and malignant melanoma (MM) is not considered as IR-induced. In a semi-systematic review of the evidence between 1990 and 2023, we snowballed 20 index articles. We identified 33 articles with information on a potential dose-response relationship between skin cancer and IR exposure and assessed the evidence for a causal association. Exposure situations included a-bomb survivors, therapeutic and occupational exposure (airlines, nuclear and medical facilities) and residents exposed to radon or other radiation sources. There is currently no epidemiological evidence that MM or SCC are caused by IR. The only skin cancer type with evidence for a causal relationship is BCC, and evidence is limited to exposures above about 0.5 Gy with a wide range of risk levels per dose. Thus, IR-inducible skin cancer refers to BBC only and only at levels of exposure beyond those experienced by the vast majority of people exposed today.

Authors with CRIS profile

Johann Drexler Lehrstuhl für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin

Involved external institutions

Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg "Theodor Fontane" / Brandenburg Medical School "Theodor Fontane" DE Germany (DE) Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen - University of Applied Sciences DE Germany (DE) Elbe Kliniken Stade-Buxtehude DE Germany (DE) Universitätsmedizin Rostock DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Caramenti, L., Breckow, J., Hildebrandt, G., Drexler, H., Volkmer, B., & Hauptmann, M. (2024). Ionizing radiation and skin cancer—a review of current evidence. Journal of Radiological Protection, 44(4). https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6498/ad7ff5

MLA:

Caramenti, Luca, et al. "Ionizing radiation and skin cancer—a review of current evidence." Journal of Radiological Protection 44.4 (2024).

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