%0 Journal Article
%T The Role of Optical Radiations in Skin Cancer
%A Fabrizio Ayala
%A Marco Palla
%A Rossella Di Trolio
%A Nicola Mozzillo
%A Paolo A. Ascierto
%J ISRN Dermatology
%D 2013
%R 10.1155/2013/842359
%X Purpose. Electromagnetic radiation with wavelength in the range 100ˋnm to 1ˋmm is known as optical radiation and includes ultraviolet radiation, the visible spectrum, and infrared radiation. The deleterious short- and long-term biological effects of ultraviolet radiation, including melanoma and other skin cancers, are well recognized. Infrared radiation may also have damaging biological effects. Methods. The objective of this review was to assess the literature over the last 15 years and to summarize correlations between exposure to optical radiation and the risk of melanoma and other cancers. Results. There is a clear correlation between exposure to UV radiation and the development of skin cancer. Most importantly, a strong association between artificial UV radiation exposure, for example, tanning devices, and the risk of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma has been clearly demonstrated. There is no clear evidence that exposure to IR and laser radiation may increase the risk of skin cancer, although negative health effects have been observed. Conclusions. Preventative strategies that involve provision of public information highlighting the risks associated with exposure to sunlight remain important. In addition, precautionary measures that discourage exposure to tanning appliances are required, as is legislation to prevent their use during childhood. 1. Introduction Electromagnetic radiation with wavelength (竹) in the range 100ˋnm to 1ˋmm is known as optical radiation and includes ultraviolet radiation (UV; 100每400ˋnm), through the visible spectrum (380每780ˋnm) to infrared radiation (IR; 9780ˋnm每1ˋmm) (Figure 1) [1]. UV radiation is subdivided into three regions: UVC (100每280ˋnm), UVB (280每315ˋnm), and UVA (315每400), with minimal superimposition over the visible band in the range of 380每400ˋnm. IR radiation is also further divided into IRA (780每1400ˋnm), IRB (1400每3000ˋnm), and IRC (3000ˋnm每1ˋmm). These spectral bands, as defined by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) in 1987 [2], represent the starting point for this consideration of the biologic effects of optical radiation. Figure 1: Wavelenghts of the main optical radiations. 1.1. Ultraviolet Radiation Our planet is subjected to a solar radiation of about 1350ˋW/m2, although in reality only around 900ˋW/m2 reaches the Earth＊s surface because of the reflective effect of the stratosphere. Of this amount, the UV component constitutes a limited fraction (around 5%), since sunlight also consists of visible and infrared bands. The maximum UV radiation measured at ground level is 70ˋW/m2
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.dermatology/2013/842359/