Deadly Cancer Could be Related to Sun Exposure

Deadly Cancer Could be Related to Sun Exposure
April 10, 2008

The skin cancer melanoma is no longer the only killer skin cancer to be concerned about. Now, there is another cancer that may also be related to sun exposure. Patty Ruiz grew up in sunny Las Vegas and if there's any doubt that protecting your skin from the sun is a good idea, just ask her.

"I had 8 chemo treatments. I had my last one last Friday. So I'm all finished with chemo now," said Parry Ruiz, who is fighting melanoma. The dangerous form of skin cancer is generally caused by exposure to the sun and periodic sunburns. In her case, it was discovered in an advanced stage. "Boy, I wish I could turn back time and put that sunscreen on, she said. Las Vegas oncologist Paul Michael says melanoma can surface at any age and practically anywhere on the body.

"Many times it shows up where the sun never shines. It can be in our buttocks, on the bottom of our legs, feet," said Dr. Paul Michael, oncologist.

Now, an equally dangerous, though much less common form is skin cancer, merkel cell carcinoma, that nearly always occurs in people over 50, is showing up more often in Southern Nevada. It may appear as harmless bump.

"More elderly, retired people are living where they're exposed to the sun. And there is a theory that merkel cell tumor is a type of skin cancer that could be related to sun exposure. We just don't know for sure," said Dr. Michael.

There may also be a connection between merkel cell carcinoma and a deadly form of lung cancer -- as the two are very similar. Dr. Michael would like to see more research, especially in the area of treatment.

"How does chemotherapy help merkel cell? We know that it can help melanoma patients like Patty. But we don't know for sure if merkel cell responds well to chemotherapy. There's a lot of interest in that," he said.

A biopsy is the only way to know for sure what kind of skin cancer a person has and therefore, how to treat it. While merkel cell appears mostly in the elderly, melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults.