Psoriasis & skin cancer Giuseppe Argenziano Clinica Dermatologica, Università della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Napoli
PUVA for 15 years
Phototherapy OK… but what about systemic treatments?
YES!!!
NO!!!
YES & NO!!!
And what about mortality?
In conclusion… NMSC (not melanoma) is slightly increased by UVB and conventional immune-modulatory treatments but not much by new target therapies Mortality by circulatory disease is increased but mortality by cancer is actually decreased!!
By the way, does psoriasis “per se” favor or protect against skin cancer ?
Favor!!!
Higher risk for SCC but not BCC… and what about melanoma?
YES, more melanomas!!!
NO, less melanomas!!!
NO, less melanomas!!!
Conclusion Slight increase of SCC but not BCC mainly due to phototherapy Melanoma seems to be paradoxically less frequent in patients with psoriasis