MELANOMA INDUCTION BY CHEMICAL-SUBSTANCES - A REVIEW

There is still no proof of a clinical relevance of chemical substances for the development of malignant melanomas in humans, although chemoc arcinogenesis plays an important role in melanomas of the Xiphophorus fish. However, a series of case control studies, cohort studies, and c ase reports indicate that employment in particular industries or direc t contact with particular chemical substances, mostly carcinogens, may increase the risk for developing melanoma. An elevated melanoma incid ence has been reported for persons working in chemical and pharmaceuti cal plants, production sites for telecommunication and electronics as well as the rubber industry, nuclear research laboratories, in petrole um refineries, and in the printing industry. However, causative agents could not be identified in these industries. Exposure to formaldehyde , dimethylformamide, vinyl chloride, polychlorinated biphenyls, and as bestos has been shown to be associated with a relative melanoma risk o f up to threefold. However, these studies provide no evidence for caus ality which requires additional investigations.