%0 Journal Article
%T Cutaneous lesions of the nose
%A Michael Sand
%A Daniel Sand
%A Christina Thrandorf
%A Volker Paech
%A Peter Altmeyer
%A Falk G Bechara
%J Head & Face Medicine
%D 2010
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1746-160x-6-7
%X The nose is the central part of the mid-face and has an important functional, aesthetic and psychological role. Nasal respiration, olfaction and phonation are among its most important functional roles. In addition, the aesthetic importance and its impact on the individual psyche have been the subjects of many previous studies [1-3]. For example, when looking at a face, observers spend the largest amount of gaze time on the nose and eyes, underscoring its prominent position in the central face [4].Because of this exposed, highly visible localization, lesions on the skin of the nose are often noticed by patients themselves, typically very early in the course of the disease. The exposed localization on the face is also cause for increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, which represents one of the most dangerous strains for the skin in this particular location because it is a proven carcinogen. This accounts for the high incidence of cancerous involvement of the skin of the nose, which has proven to be the most common site for skin cancer on the human body [5]. Furthermore, this has lead to the description of the face as a "sun terrace," referring to the skin of the forehead, ears and nose, because the angle of the skin toward sunlight at these locations is more acute than elsewhere. Consequently, UV light exposure is increased, which also includes exposure to the dangerous UV-B spectrum (290-320 nm), shown to be one of the most potent skin carcinogens. Typical UV-B-induced DNA damage involves the generation of dimeric photoproducts between adjacent pyrimidine bases. The tumor suppressor gene p53 is a common target of UV-R-induced mutations. Moreover, UV-A generates highly reactive free radicals, damaging DNA and promoting skin cancer. In addition to its role as a potent carcinogen, UV-A is responsible for damage to the collagen structure, leading to accelerated skin aging [6].The skin of the nose shows several specific anatomical and histological peculiarities tha
%U http://www.head-face-med.com/content/6/1/7