Results of a new study have indicated that the risk of developing melanoma may be almost doubled among survivors of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who were treated with certain chemotherapeutic agents or who had specific immune-related medical conditions.
Hematology Times (free membership)
cancernetwork.com/news/mela...
Looking specifically at patients who survived CLL/SLL, the researchers found that the risk for melanoma was doubled to tripled among patients who received infused fludarabine-containing chemotherapy with or without rituximab (with rituximab: hazard ratio [HR], 1.92 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09–3.40]; without rituximab: HR, 2.92 [95% CI, 1.42–6.01]).
Given the higher risk we have of developing other skin cancers, here's just one more reason to have at least an annual dermatological examination. Remember too, that melanomas can develop on skin that has never been exposed to the sun...
Study: jco.ascopubs.org/content/ea...
Photo: Old "Sunshine" harvester. "Sunshine" being the manufacturer, though obviously sunshine is needed for the crops to grow