Skin, artificial cancer

The impact of electromagnetic radiation, especially of UV radiation, on the human skin and on the eye may lead to severe adverse effects (see Fig. 2-4) including skin cancer, severe skin burning, conjunctivitis or cataract formation. Hence, appropriate protective measures must be considered while working with artificial radiant sources. This includes UV-blocking eyewear and face wear. Never look directly and unprotected at an operating UV or VUV lamp ... 

The effect of treatment with tar and/or artificial UV radiation on the risk of developing cutaneous carcinoma was evaluated on skin cancer patients (59 cases) with severe psoriasis (Stem et al. 1980) ... 

Stem RS, Zietler S, Parrish JA. 1980. Skin cancer in outpatients treated with topical tar and artificial ultraviolet radiation. Lancet 1 732-734. 

Teens are particularly susceptible to the risk of overexposure because they are still experiencing tremendous growth at the cellular level. However, people run the risk of developing skin cancer if they are exposed to the sun or to artificial sunlight in tanning salons too often or for long periods of time. 

Ultraviolet radiation does not penetrate beyond the skin and is substantially absorbed in the cornea and lens of the eye. The human organs at risk are therefore the skin and the eyes. The immediate effects are erythema (as in sunburn) and photokeratitis (arc eye, snow blindness). Long-term effects are premature skin ageing and skin cancer, and possibly cataracts. No cases of skin cancer due to occupational exposure to artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation have been identified, but a causal link between skin cancer and exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation is now accepted, particularly for those with white skin. Some chemicals such as coal tar can... 

Moreover, synthetic tracheal scaffolds have been used to replace the trachea of patients in various clinical trials. In 2002 a tube made of polypropylene covered by a collagen sponge from porcine skin was used to repair the trachea of a 78-year-old woman with thyroid cancer. It was observed that the epithelialization has continued to cover the artificial material completely for 2 years without any complications [132]. 

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