Can xeroderma pigmentosum be cured?
Xeroderma pigmentosum treatment After a diagnosis, getting regular checkups for precancerous growths (actinic keratosis) is very important. This can help to reduce the incidence of skin cancer and end the need for more invasive surgeries. There isn’t a cure for XP, but its symptoms can be managed.
How is XP treated?
XP is managed by preventative techniques (i.e., avoiding the sun, using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing) and regular screening for changes in the skin, vision, and neurologic status. Many symptoms can be treated with medication and/or surgery, but some cancers and neurologic problems can be life threatening.
Can you live with xeroderma pigmentosum?
Although XP is a serious disease with the potential for limitation of life expectancy, XP patients can live active lives while at the same time avoiding UV. Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) can serve as a model disease for protection of patients with marked photosensitivity.
Why is there no cure for xeroderma pigmentosum?
There is no cure for xeroderma pigmentosum, so treatment focuses on any problems that are present and preventing future problems from developing. Any cancers or suspicious lesions should be treated or removed by a skin specialist (dermatologist).
What are the neurological symptoms of xeroderma pigmentosum?
Approximately 30% of XP patients present neurologic alterations, which may appear early in infancy or later in the second or third decade of life. They range from mild to severe, with intellectual disability, deafness, spasticity, and seizures [23].
What are the symptoms of xeroderma pigmentosum?
Symptoms
- Sunburn that does not heal after just a little bit of sun exposure.
- Blistering after just a little bit of sun exposure.
- Spider-like blood vessels under the skin.
- Patches of discolored skin that get worse, resembling severe aging.
- Crusting of the skin.
- Scaling of the skin.
- Oozing raw skin surface.
What is the survival rate of xeroderma pigmentosum?
The life expectancy is shortened for many individuals with XPA due to the dramatically increased risk for skin cancer and risk for neurodegeneration. The average life expectancy of an individual with any type of XP with neurological features is 29 years (37 years if neurological features are not present).
Where is xeroderma pigmentosum most commonly found?
Xeroderma pigmentosum is a rare disorder; it is estimated to affect about 1 in 1 million people in the United States and Europe. The condition is more common in Japan, North Africa, and the Middle East.
What is the life expectancy of a person with xeroderma pigmentosum?
However, the life expectancy is shortened for many individuals with XPC due to the dramatically increased risk for cancers. The average life expectancy of an individual with any type of XP and no neurological features is approximately 37 years (29 years if neurological features are present).
How do you manage xeroderma pigmentosum?
Treatment for xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is focused on managing the symptoms. People with XP are advised to avoid cigarette smoke, sunlight, and other forms of ultraviolet radiation exposure. In addition, people with XP may need regular screening for cancer , which may include a skin biopsy .