Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers and Other Cutaneous Manifestations in Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes and Rare DNA Repair Disorders

Although most non-melanoma skin cancers are felt to be sporadic in origin, these tumors do play a role in several cancer predisposition syndromes. The manifestations of skin cancers in these hereditary populations can include diagnosis at extremely early ages and/or multiple primary cancers, as well as tumors at less common sites. Awareness of baseline skin cancer risks for these individuals is important, particularly in the setting of treatments that may compromise the immune system and further increase risk of cutaneous malignancies. Additionally, diagnosis of these disorders and management of non-cutaneous manifestations of these diseases have profound implications for both the patient and their family. This review highlights the current literature on the diagnosis, features, and non-melanoma skin cancer risks associated with lesser-known cancer predisposition syndromes, including bone marrow failure disorders, genomic instability disorders, and base excision repair disorders.

Automated summary

Although most non-melanoma skin cancers are believed to occur sporadically, there are certain hereditary populations that are predisposed to these tumors. These individuals may be diagnosed with skin cancer at a very young age and/or have multiple primary cancers or tumors in uncommon sites. Understanding the baseline skin cancer risks in these populations is crucial, especially in the context of treatments that may weaken the immune system and further increase the risk of cutaneous malignancies. Additionally, the diagnosis and management of these disorders have significant implications for both patients and their families.