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 chemocarcinogenesis plays an important role in melanomas of the Xiphophorus fish. However, a series of case control studies, cohort studies, and case reports indicate that employment in particular industries or direct contact with particular chemical substances, mostly carcinogens, may increase the risk for developing melanoma. An elevated melanoma incidence has been reported for persons working in chemical and pharmaceutical plants, production sites for telecommunication and electronics as well as the rubber industry, nuclear research laboratories, in petroleum 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 asbestos has been shown to be associated with a relative melanoma risk of up to threefold. However, these studies provide no evidence for causality which requires additional investigations.