Xeroderma-Pigmentosum
Xeroderma pigmentosum, which is commonly known as XP, is an inherited condition characterized by an extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet rays from sunlight. This condition mostly affects the eyes and areas of skin exposed to the sun. Some affected individuals also have problems involving the nervous system.(Stefanini)
The signs of xeroderma pigmentosum usually appear in infancy or early childhood. Many affected children develop severe sunburns after spending just a few minutes in the sun. The sunburn causes redness and blistering that can last for weeks.(Saad)
Other affected children do not get sunburned with minimal sun exposure, but instead tan normally. By age 2, almost all children with xeroderma pigmentosum develop freckling of the skin in sun-exposed areas. Such as the face, arms, and lips; this type of freckling rarely occurs in young children without the disorder. In affected individuals, exposure to sunlight often causes dry skin (xeroderma) and changes in skin coloring (pigmentation). This combination of features gives the condition its name, xeroderma pigmentosum.
People with xeroderma pigmentosum have a greatly increased risk of developing skin cancer. Without sun protection, about half of children with this condition develop their first skin cancer by age 10.(Lehmann) Most people with xeroderma pigmentosum develop multiple skin cancers during their lifetime. These cancers occur most often on the face, lips, and eyelids. Cancer can also develop on the scalp, in the eyes, and on the tip of the tongue. Studies suggest that people with xeroderma pigmentosum may also have an increased risk of other types of cancer, including brain tumors. Additionally, affected individuals who smoke cigarettes have a significantly increased risk of lung cancer.(Janjua)
The eyes of people with xeroderma pigmentosum may be painfully sensitive to UV rays from the sun. If the eyes are not protected from the sun, they may become bloodshot and irritated, and the clear front
The signs of xeroderma pigmentosum usually appear in infancy or early childhood. Many affected children develop severe sunburns after spending just a few minutes in the sun. The sunburn causes redness and blistering that can last for weeks.(Saad)
Other affected children do not get sunburned with minimal sun exposure, but instead tan normally. By age 2, almost all children with xeroderma pigmentosum develop freckling of the skin in sun-exposed areas. Such as the face, arms, and lips; this type of freckling rarely occurs in young children without the disorder. In affected individuals, exposure to sunlight often causes dry skin (xeroderma) and changes in skin coloring (pigmentation). This combination of features gives the condition its name, xeroderma pigmentosum.
People with xeroderma pigmentosum have a greatly increased risk of developing skin cancer. Without sun protection, about half of children with this condition develop their first skin cancer by age 10.(Lehmann) Most people with xeroderma pigmentosum develop multiple skin cancers during their lifetime. These cancers occur most often on the face, lips, and eyelids. Cancer can also develop on the scalp, in the eyes, and on the tip of the tongue. Studies suggest that people with xeroderma pigmentosum may also have an increased risk of other types of cancer, including brain tumors. Additionally, affected individuals who smoke cigarettes have a significantly increased risk of lung cancer.(Janjua)
The eyes of people with xeroderma pigmentosum may be painfully sensitive to UV rays from the sun. If the eyes are not protected from the sun, they may become bloodshot and irritated, and the clear front
Citations: Lehmann, Alan R., David McGibbon, and Miria Stefanini. "Multiple Reference Genomes and Transcriptomes for Arabidopsis Thaliana | ReadCube Articles." Multiple Reference Genomes and Transcriptomes for Arabidopsis Thaliana | ReadCube Articles. ReadCube Articles, 1 June 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1119902-treatment Saad, Alaa. "Xeroderma Pigmentosum (2nd Stage)." - DermRounds Dermatology Network. DermRounds, 17 Oct. 2010. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. http://www.dermrounds.com/photo/intradermal-nevus/next?context=latest Oxford. "Brain." Neurological Symptoms and Natural Course of Xeroderma Pigmentosum. Oxford Journals, 21 June 2008. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. http://brain.oxfordjournals.org/content/131/8/1979/F2.expansion.html "List Of Disease." List Of Disease. N.p., 5 Oct. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. http://listofdisease.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/xeroderma-pigmentosum/