Skin
Second Malignancy
The risk of second malignancy is higher in childhood cancer survivors than in the general population and it also increases with time1. This principle also applies to skin tumors.
Malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers represent a high percentage (10-20%) of secondary tumors1 in survivors of pediatric malignancy.
Melanoma:
Children undergoing chemotherapy for hematological malignancy are at a greater risk of subsequent development of melanocytic nevi which are more likely to develop in areas that are less common such as the palms of the hand and soles of the feet1.
Study from Australia showed more atypic nevi in survivors of pediatric cancer than the general population.
Growth hormone exposure has also been potentially linked to the increased growth of melanocytic nevi 1. Increased number of melanocytic nevi is an important risk factor for developing malignant melanoma1.
Links:
Health information video: "Dear 16 year old me"
David Cornfield Melanoma Fund (tools)
Non melanoma skin cancer:
Radiation exposure to the skin increases the risk for non melanoma skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma after 2 decades1.
Factors which contribute to this are probably:
- Reduced immunosurveillance as a result of chemotherapy
- Direct toxic effects of radiation therapy (RT)
- Subsequent exposures to UV radiation
